Head of Copper Thieves Admits to Killing Old Man in Southern Lebanon

The Syrian head of a gang that steals copper wires from electricity cables in southern Lebanon was arrested and admitted to killing an old man in the town of Qana, the state-run National News Agency reported Thursday.

NNA said that the Syrian suspect Bassel al-Ahmed admitted to killing Moussa Badreddine in his shop along with several other suspects while robbing him.

Badreddine, 81, was found dead in his shop in August last year.

The suspect admitted the responsibility of his gang for stealing the copper wires in the area of Tyre and some towns in Bint Jbeil, the news agency added.

Electricity du Liban has issued several warnings over copper thefts in the South. It said last year that theft caused 30 percent of its losses.