Beirut’s Justice Palace has been at the center of security threats since November 24. The hearing of individuals involved in two suicide bombings targeting a neighborhood of Beirut’s southern suburb, which were claimed by ISIS, was scheduled for that day. A few hours before the hearing was set to begin, President of the Higher Judicial Council Souheil Abboud was warned by the army’s head of intelligence General Tony Kahwaji about security threats in case the hearing is held.
General Kahwaji urged Abboud to adjourn the session, which the latter complied with.
According to information reported by Al-Anba and confirmed by a judicial source contacted by This Is Beirut, the head of intelligence gave Abboud the main details pertaining to the operation: a terrorist group was preparing to attack the vehicle supposed to transport from Roumieh prison to the Justice Palace the detainee, Naim Abbas, a Palestinian national accused of participating in the bombings in the southern suburb, a Hezbollah stronghold.
Reportedly, the terrorist group’s objective was to free Abbas. In case the attack on the vehicle failed, and the court session was convened, the terrorists planned to mount an assault on the Justice Palace, enter the courtroom and liberate Naim Abbas at gunpoint.
"The President of the Higher Judicial Council has adjourned, but not canceled, the session. The matter is now in the hands of the relevant authorities, notably caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi and the heads of security services. The necessary measures are to be taken to ensure the security of the Justice Palace, the judges, lawyers and employees," a judicial source told This Is Beirut.
It is worth noting that, in 2014, following a double suicide attack carried out by ISIS, the Lebanese army arrested several individuals, including Naim Abbas, for collaborating with Al-Nusra Front and the Abdullah Azzam Brigades affiliated with the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda.
General Kahwaji urged Abboud to adjourn the session, which the latter complied with.
According to information reported by Al-Anba and confirmed by a judicial source contacted by This Is Beirut, the head of intelligence gave Abboud the main details pertaining to the operation: a terrorist group was preparing to attack the vehicle supposed to transport from Roumieh prison to the Justice Palace the detainee, Naim Abbas, a Palestinian national accused of participating in the bombings in the southern suburb, a Hezbollah stronghold.
Reportedly, the terrorist group’s objective was to free Abbas. In case the attack on the vehicle failed, and the court session was convened, the terrorists planned to mount an assault on the Justice Palace, enter the courtroom and liberate Naim Abbas at gunpoint.
"The President of the Higher Judicial Council has adjourned, but not canceled, the session. The matter is now in the hands of the relevant authorities, notably caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi and the heads of security services. The necessary measures are to be taken to ensure the security of the Justice Palace, the judges, lawyers and employees," a judicial source told This Is Beirut.
It is worth noting that, in 2014, following a double suicide attack carried out by ISIS, the Lebanese army arrested several individuals, including Naim Abbas, for collaborating with Al-Nusra Front and the Abdullah Azzam Brigades affiliated with the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda.
Comments