Beirut, Lebanon. A man was arrested in Lebanon after allegedly offering “sensitive security information” to the Israeli embassy in Nicosia, according to reports published on Wednesday. He later told a military court that he had sought to contact the US embassy in Nicosia for assistance.
Alleged contact with embassy
Lebanese news website Lebanon Debate identified the man as “Michel B” and reported that he appeared before a military court after allegedly sending a message to the Israeli embassy claiming to possess sensitive information.
According to the report, Lebanese authorities were informed in April about his contact with the embassy. He was subsequently arrested and his mobile phone was examined.
Police reportedly found that he sent a text message on October 30 last year to a number belonging to the Israeli embassy in Nicosia. In the message, he allegedly identified himself as an American citizen and said he had previously sent “sensitive security information” to the embassy by email.
Background and court account
Lebanon Debate described Michel B as an American of Lebanese origin who worked in military intelligence in the United States Army before retiring to Lebanon in 2001.
The report said he had lived in Zahle, east of Beirut, and in Qoubaiyat, near Lebanon’s border with Syria.
He reportedly told the court that he did not intend to provide security information to the Israeli embassy, but to entice it to help him contact the US embassy in Nicosia. He said he had received no response to a request for assistance in returning to the United States with his wife.
According to the reports, he wanted to leave Lebanon after receiving death threats and accusations that he was an “American Zionist.”
