Security Forces Fear that Estonians Are No Longer in Lebanon

High-ranking security sources have expressed fear that Wael Abbas, the ringleader of the cell that kidnapped the seven Estonians, might have handed over the hostages to another network.

The sources told An Nahar daily on Friday that Abbas could have also transferred the cyclists, who were kidnapped near Zahle’s industrial zone on March 23, “to outside the Lebanese territories,” in reference to Syria.

Abbas was hiding inside houses in the Bekaa town of Majdal Anjar as security forces carried out raids in the area on Thursday, they said.

But the sources said the town’s residents were cooperating with police to track him and another member of the cell who is also from Majdal Anjar.

The network’s four other members are now in custody. Abbas reportedly told them before their arrest that the Estonian tourists “were handed over to the sides” that ordered the kidnapping.

The sources also said that the claim by the previously-unheard of group, Haraket al-Nahda Wal-Islah (the Movement for Revival and Reform) for the abduction was aimed at distracting investigators.