Saqr Refers File on Samaha-Shaaban Telephone Calls on Explosives to Military Tribunal Judge

Military Tribunal Judge Saqr Saqr referred to Military Examining Magistrate Riyad Abu Ghida on Saturday the file on the telephone call that allegedly took place between former Minister Michel Samaha and Syrian President Bashar Assad's media adviser Buthaina Shaaban, reported the National News Agency on Saturday.

The telephone call took place shortly before Samaha transported explosives from Syria to Lebanon.

Samaha was arrested in August on charges of forming a criminal gang aimed at carrying out attacks in Lebanon at Syria's behest.

Two Syrian officials were also charged by the Lebanese judiciary in the case.

“The Intelligence Bureau has referred an additional file in Samaha's case that includes the involvement of Shaaban,” MTV quoted high-ranking sources as saying on Friday

The file includes the analysis of phone conversations between Shaaban and Samaha made during the latter's presence in Damascus, the report said.

“Samaha called Shaaban and informed her of the steps he intended to make,” the sources clarified.