Russian officials are trying to verify reports that Lebanese authorities are still hunting for three Russian citizens who they believe are involved in terrorism. It had been reported earlier that Lebanese police had already arrested one Russian on the same charge. The Russian men are thought to be part of the radical Palestinian movement Fatah al-Islam and could face the death penalty if found guilty. Russian diplomats are expected to meet Lebanese authorities on Monday to clarify the situation.Dr Imad Rizk is writing a book about Fatah al-Islam. Its members are known to come from across the Arab world. “Maybe there are some 12 to 50 persons came to Lebanon to have lessons about how they can make special attacks. When they finish the preparation, maybe, they will go to Chechnya, Pakistan, or Uzbekistan to make special attacks,” he said.
Rumours of Russians fighting in Lebanon have been circulating inside the country for some time. But the Russian Embassy in Beirut says it still needs to verify that this is the case. If true, the four men will become the first known non-Arab foreigners to be members of Fatah al-Islam accused of serious charges. “We were greatly surprised by this news because until now we have not had information like this; no one from the Russian citizens took part in this battle and standoff between Lebanese troops and Fatah al Islam,” noted Vladimir Cherepanov, the press attaché at the Russian Embassy in Lebanon.