Lebanese court sentences 3 for dealing with Israel

By Naim Berjawi

BEIRUT (AA) - A Lebanese military court handed prison terms Monday to three people after they were convicted of “dealing and normalizing” with Israel, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

The Permanent Military Court headed by Brigadier General Mounir Shehadeh sentenced Jamal Ahmed Rifi, a doctor residing in Australia, to 10 years in prison in absentia for the crime of "normalization with Israel."

The court also ordered Amin Muhammad Mari Baydoun, who holds US citizenship, to serve five years behind bars for the crime of "dealing with the Israeli enemy."

Lebanese authorities arrested Baydoun at Beirut airport in June.

The court also ordered Marc Charbel Tanios to serve two years in prison after he was convicted of "communicating with the Israeli enemy and exchanging emails with it."

The rulings are subject to appeal before the Military Court of Cassation.

Former Lebanese Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi, who is also a former director-general of Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces, accused the court of being "politicized" for the trial against his brother in absentia.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat