Military Prosecutor Charges 6 Nusra Front Suspects

The military prosecution charged on Friday six al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front members who were arrested for the possession of arms and explosives, and for plotting terrorist attacks.

The state-run National News Agency said that the suspects had formed an armed gang for the purpose of carrying out terrorist activities and financial crimes.

The charges also include attempts to target the state's authority, NNA said.

If convicted, the suspects face the death penalty.

The army command announced on Sunday the arrest of a number of individuals for transporting weapons in the northeastern border town of Arsal.

It said in a communique that a driver of a pick-up truck was arrested at a checkpoint after weapons, ammunition and fatigues were found in his vehicle.

Other individuals linked to the incident were also arrested, it said without elaborating.

But NNA said uniforms carrying al-Nusra Front badges were in their possession and they were on their way to Arsal's barren mountains with the aim of infiltrating Syrian territory.

The al-Qaida-affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra has claimed responsibility for several car bombs and suicide attacks on military installations and government buildings, including in the Syrian capital Damascus, the seat of President Bashar Assad's power.