Relatives of Kidnapped Pilgrims Vow to File Complaint against Turkey

Relatives of the Lebanese pilgrims kidnapped in Syria's Aazaz revealed on Wednesday that they are planning to file a complaint with the European Union against Turkey “for protecting the abductors.”

"Turkey must stop its maneuvers and release the abducted pilgrims because it is the party responsible for their freedom,” stated Sheikh Abbas Zgheib, who has been tasked by the Higher Islamic Shiite Council to follow up the case of the pilgrims.

“We will file a complaint with the EU and other international platforms against the Turkish government for nurturing the abductors.”

Zgheib revealed the families' plans following a meeting between a delegation of the pilgrims' relatives and the deputy head of the Higher Shiite Islamic Council Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan.

In May 2012, eleven Lebanese pilgrims were kidnapped in Syria's Aleppo region as they were making their way back to Lebanon by land from pilgrimage from Iran. Two of them have since been released, while the rest remain held in Aazaz.

The families accuse Turkey of being behind the kidnapping.

They, however, denied any involvement in the abduction of a Turkish pilot and copilot earlier in August in Beirut.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Mount Lebanon Prosecutor Claude Karam filed a lawsuit against 13 members of these families on charges of “forming an armed gang and abducting the two Turkish pilots,” state-run National News Agency reported.

But Daniel Shoaib, a relative of one of the Aazaz abductees, warned that "they will break the hands of anyone who tries to attack the families of the kidnapped pilgrims.”

Shoaib threatened to block roads to prevent Intelligence Bureau agents from arresting any member of the families.