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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran | |||
| 2 Australians charged with terrorism offenses in Lebanon | |||
| 2007-07-05 | |||
| Two Australian men Ibhrahim Sabouh and Omar El Hadba who were arrested in anti-terrorism raids in Tripoli ,north Lebanon have been charged with terrorism offenses. The two other Australians who were arrested at the same time have been released without charge. Earlier today, the two men said their interrogators tortured them. Sabouh and Hadba have been accused of supplying weapons to terrorists. Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, says consular officials are still trying to gain access to the men before they face a military court in Lebanon. "I understand that the two Australians who have been detained have now been charged with terrorism offences," he said. "In particular with having weapons and, as I understand it, undermining the state of Lebanon and attempting to - participating in - the killing of civilians." Mr Downer says the charges the men face are serious. "The charges ... will be heard in a military court," he said. "We don't have any time frame at this stage. We'll attempt to get access, we'll do what we can, but we can't give any guarantees at this stage." He also says his department is still trying to get consular access to the men. "The Lebanese authorities are very sensitive about anybody who they think has been involved in terrorism and terrorist activities," he said. "It's obviously, for all of us, a big issue, but in a country like Lebanon its a very major issue. So bearing all that in mind it could take a long time before we get that sort of access." Meanwhile, the two men who were released without charge have spoken about the claims of torture. Mohammed Basal says he was mistreated when first picked up by officials. "When they arrested me, I was amongst the Army and they were beating me around a bit," he said. "They had me up against the wall. They were kneeing me in the back and trying to make me talk and say something. I said, 'listen I don't know what you're talking about. I'm from Australia and wouldn't have a clue what you're talking about'." Australian DFAT will push for an investigation for torture The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says it will push for an investigation into allegations that four Australian men detained in Lebanon over suspected terrorism links were tortured. The group was arrested during a raid on a unit in Tripoli two weeks ago for allegedly supplying weapons to terrorists. It was originally thought five Australians were being detained in Lebanon,
A spokeswoman for the department says two of the men said their interrogators tortured them. She says Australian officials raised the allegations with senior members of the Lebanese Government and military, who denied the claims.
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| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Dinkum Aussies for sure. |
| Posted by: Gladys 2007-07-05 05:18 |