Saqr Studying Samaha's Testimony over Buthaina Shaaban's Alleged Connection to Case

Military Tribunal Judge Saqr Saqr is studying the testimony of former Minister Michel Samaha over the alleged involvement of Syrian President Bashar Assad's adviser Buthaina Shaaban's connection to his case, reported the National News Agency.

Samaha was interrogated by Military Examining Magistrate Judge Riyad Abu Ghida on whether the former minister had contacted the Syrian official while he was in Syria to transport explosives from Damascus to Beirut, reported al-Mustaqbal daily on Thursday.

Media reports had said that the Syrian official and former minister had contacted each other while the latter was in Syria to transport explosives to Lebanon, raising suspicions that she is linked to the affair.

In August, Samaha and two Syrian officials were charged by the Lebanese judiciary with forming a criminal gang aimed at carrying out attacks in Lebanon at Syria's behest.

Widely informed sources told al-Mustaqbal it is not clear whether Samaha had indeed confessed that Shaaban was informed of his transportation of explosives to Lebanon.

They however described the interrogation as “good”, revealing that the former minister had replied to all the questions that were directed to him.

Judicial sources told al-Manar television on Wednesday that Samaha had denied that Shaaban was linked to his case.