Death Sentence Demanded for Syrian, Palestinian Nusra Front Members

A Syrian and a Palestinian have been sentenced to death for belonging to the terrorist al-Nusra Front, reported the National News Agency on Tuesday.

It said that Military Tribunal Judge Imad al-Zein demanded the penalty against Syrian detainee Mahmoud al-Kaaki and Palestinian fugitive Ahmed Taha.

An explosives belt was found at Kaaki's residence in the Bekaa region of Arsal.

A booby-trapped Chevrolet pickup truck without license plates was also discovered parked in front of his house.

The two suspects were charged with preparing to carry out terrorist attacks and car bombings.

Zein issued arrest warrants against Kaaki and Taha and search warrants against four of their accomplices.

On June 13, the army detained five Syrians in raids carried out on the outskirts of Arsal on charges of participating in training with terrorist groups.

Zaher Abdul Aziz al-Ahmed was arrested for belonging to al-Azzam brigades while Nour Muheiddine Shameseddine, Haitham Nader Ghannoum, Adel Suleiman Ghannoum and Mohammed Nazih Ghannoum were arrested for the possession of cameras, computers and CDs that show their participation in training with terrorist groups.

Ever since the Syrian revolt erupted in March 2011, Arsal has served as a key conduit for refugees, rebels and wounded people fleeing strife-torn Syria.