Judge Charges Man Arrested in Tripoli with Belonging to Terror Cell

Government Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr charged on Wednesday Mohammed al-Ayyoubi with belonging to a terrorist cell with the aim of carrying out terror acts a day after the Army Intelligence wrapped up investigations with him.

Saqr referred Ayyoubi to First Military Investigation Judge Riyad Abu Ghida, the state-run National News Agency reported.

The charges could lead to the death penalty.

On Thursday, the army said in a communique that Ayyoubi was referred to the competent judicial authorities.

He was arrested on September 25, 2014 in the northern city of Tripoli.

The statement revealed that the cell that Ayyoubi belongs to was “plotting to undermine civil peace and attack security forces.”

Ayyoubi, according to the army communique, had traveled to Syria and pledged allegiance to a terrorist organization there only to later form a network in Lebanon set to carry out specific missions.

He was also seeking to fund his activities through foreign channels.

Media reports have recently accused an armed group operating in Tripoli's Bab al-Tabbaneh of pledging allegiance to the Islamic State and al-Nusra Front extremist groups, but the gunmen denied that.

The same group is also accused of being behind several attacks on the army in the city.

H.K.

G.K.