Harb Says Judiciary Not Hesitant in Internet Scandal

Telecommunications Minister Boutros Harb has said that the judiciary is “no longer hesitant” in dealing with the scandal on the illegal internet network.

Harb told An Nahar daily published on Tuesday that the issue “is taking a serious turn after it was being dealt with laxly.”

“The probe of the judicial authorities is … revealing information on the network, its members and those in charge of it,” he said.

“The judiciary is no longer hesitant. It is following up (the issue) decisively,” Harb added.

He stressed that the file will not be covered up after claims were made that influential people were involved in the case.

The minister attended on Monday a security meeting that was chaired by Prime Minister Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail.

An Nahar said that the investigations of the judiciary are not just focusing on the financial aspects of the illegal network but also on the security breach.

It said the suspects have dismantled equipment and have tampered with evidence and data.

The number of suspects arrested in the scandal has risen to four and 22 people have been charged. A warrant is out for a fifth.

Harb said last month that the owners of unauthorized stations were buying bandwidth from Turkey and Cyprus and selling it to subscribers at low prices.

G.K.

D.A.