Michel Samaha's Trial Kicks Off
The trial of former Information Minister Michel Samaha, who is in custody, and of two wanted Syrian officers kicked off at the military court in Beirut on Wednesday.
Samaha, who is considered close to the Syrian regime, was arrested in August last year for planning attacks in Lebanon along with Syrian security chief General Ali Mamlouk and a colonel known only by his first name as Adnan.
They were indicted in February this year "for transporting explosives from Syria to Lebanon in an attempt to assassinate Lebanese political and religious leaders."
A military magistrate said in his indictment that Samaha and Mamlouk should be given the death penalty.
They were also accused of targeting "Syrian gunmen" and "smugglers" in the northern Akkar region that lies near the border with Syria.
Investigators have said that explosives were found in Samaha's car.
According to the indictment, they were delivered by Adnan to Samaha in Syria with the approval of Mamlouk.
Samaha is also accused of "inciting sectarian strife.”
Arrest warrants have been issued for Mamlouk and Adnan, whose full identity hasn't been established yet.
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