Request to Release 8 Meqdad Clan Members Rejected

Military Tribunal Judge Imad al-Zein rejected on Thursday requests to release eight of al-Meqdad clan members held in custody.

He refused the request and instead kept them under arrest, setting October 1 as a date to resume investigations with them.

The members were arrested on charges of possessing arms and explosives, kidnapping and intimidating people, and forming an armed gang aimed at carrying out terrorist acts.

On Saturday, the detainees were sent to Roumieh prison.

The members had carried out a number of kidnappings against Syrian and Turkish nationals in Lebanon in retaliation against the abduction of their relative Hassan al-Meqdad in Syria.