6/1/2026
The following statement was issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division:
As part of the ongoing efforts to combat pickpocketing and theft by specialized units of the Internal Security Forces across Lebanon, the Information Division received information regarding unidentified individuals stealing motorcycles and using them to commit pickpocketing in several areas of Mount Lebanon Governorate. The most recent incident occurred on November 22, 2025, when two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle stole a woman’s purse from inside her car in the town of Damour. The purse contained cash, a gold chain, documents, and personal belongings. The perpetrators then fled to an unknown location. Following this incident, the Division’s patrols initiated field and investigative procedures to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. As a result of the investigation, the division’s personnel were able to identify the house in Baalshmayeh, Aley, that the perpetrators of the robbery had gone to. Consequently, the identities of all members of the robbery gang were determined, including the homeowner, the mastermind, named: – F.F. (born in 1992, Lebanese), a repeat offender with a history of theft. Orders were given to monitor and arrest him as quickly as possible, in coordination with the judiciary. On December 16, 2025, after careful surveillance, a division patrol apprehended him in Soufar while he was riding a black N Max motorcycle, which was found to have been stolen from Nabatieh on October 21, 2025. The motorcycle was recovered. He confessed to the charges against him, specifically forming a motorcycle theft gang. The gang members would bring the stolen motorcycles to an abandoned building near his residence, from where they would be transported north to be sold to someone who would then smuggle them into Syria. He stated that two members of his gang were responsible for the theft of the bag from inside the car in Damour, in addition to carrying out several pickpocketing incidents in the areas of Nahr al-Mawt, Antelias, and Souk al-Gharb. He also confessed that they had previously stolen a white van from Zouk Mosbeh to use in transporting stolen motorcycles, but due to a malfunction while driving it, they were forced to burn it on the highway in the same area. A search of his home and the abandoned building yielded tools and clothing used in motorcycle thefts and pickpocketing, motorcycle parts, helmets, and identification papers belonging to individuals whose motorcycles had been stolen. The necessary legal action was taken against him, and he was handed over, along with the seized items, to the relevant authority, based on the instructions of the competent judiciary.
Work is still underway to arrest the remaining members of the gang.
Issued by the Directorate General of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: As part of the ongoing efforts of the Internal Security Forces to combat human trafficking and the facilitation of prostitution, the Information Branch received information concerning an unidentified individual who was allegedly holding women working in this field and extorting “protection money” from their employers. Following this, the Branch’s specialized units intensified their field and technical efforts to identify and apprehend the suspect. As a result of investigations and inquiries, his identity was established. He is: H. Y. (born in 1996, Lebanese), who has a criminal record involving the facilitation of prostitution and extortion. On 02-09-2026, following careful surveillance and monitoring, an Information Branch patrol arrested him in the Airport Road area while he was in a rented vehicle, which was also seized. The following individual was also arrested in his company: M. S. (born in 1996, Lebanese) A search of the two suspects and the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a knife, two capsules containing cocaine, and a sum of money. During questioning, the first suspect admitted to the charges against him, namely detaining women and the drivers responsible for transporting them, then contacting their employers and demanding money in exchange for their release. He also admitted to shooting at the vehicles when the demanded amounts were not paid. The second detainee stated that his relationship with the first was limited to using drugs. The necessary legal measures were taken against both detainees, who were handed over, along with the seized items, to the competent authority, based on the instructions of the competent judicial authorities. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining individuals involved.
2/10/2026
Issued by the Directorate General of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: On 05-05-2026, the bodies of A. E. (born in 1984, Syrian) and his wife, K. H. (born in 1987, Syrian), were found inside their home in the Sabra area, each having sustained a gunshot wound. It was found that a safe had been stolen from the house after the crime was committed. Immediately, the specialized units of the Information Branch launched field and intelligence operations to uncover the circumstances of the crime, identify those involved, and arrest them. As a result of investigations and inquiries, the Branch identified the perpetrators, including: A. T. (born in 2006, Lebanese) A. M. (born in 2008, Palestinian) On 26-06-2026 and 26-08-2026, following careful surveillance and monitoring, Information Branch patrols arrested the two suspects in the southern suburbs of Beirut. The second suspect was found hiding in a room at a hotel, after having left Shatila Camp following a dispute with another person that resulted in the latter being shot in the mouth. During questioning, both admitted to the charges against them, namely participating in monitoring the victims during the execution of the crime and in stealing the safe. They stated that the actual perpetrators were two other individuals who committed the crime at the request of a drug dealer who was owed money by the victim. The two detainees, along with the seized items, were handed over to the relevant unit to take the necessary legal measures against them, based on the instructions of the competent judicial authorities. Efforts are ongoing to arrest all those involved.
1/10/2026
Within the framework of the ongoing cooperation between the Internal Security Forces and the General Chaplaincy of Prisons, and with the aim of supporting inmates and enhancing their skills, a computer course was organized for a number of inmates at the Central Prison in Roumieh. At the conclusion of the course, on 25-09-2026, certificates were presented to the participants at the Convicts’ Building, in the presence of the General Chaplain of the Chaplaincy, Father Jean Moura, and the Regional Chaplain, Father Nehmehallah Al-Saghbini.
30/9/2026
Issued by the Directorate General of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: As part of the ongoing efforts undertaken by the Internal Security Forces to combat all forms of crime and apprehend wanted persons across Lebanese territories, the Information Branch received information regarding the presence in Lebanon of a wanted Syrian national involved in the murder of a Syrian woman in Syria and the theft of her jewelry. Two of his accomplices in the crime had previously been arrested by the Syrian security forces in Syria. He is identified as: A. N. (born in 2008, Syrian) Following this, the Branch’s specialized units initiated field and intelligence operations to determine his whereabouts in Lebanon and apprehend him. As a result of investigations and inquiries, the Branch identified his location in the Dora area. On 03-09-2026, following careful surveillance and monitoring, an Information Branch patrol carried out a targeted operation in the same area, resulting in his arrest. During questioning, in the presence of a representative of the Association for the Protection of Juveniles, he confessed to the charges against him. He stated that in June of this year, he received a call from an acquaintance in Syria informing him of a house in the Azaz area of the Aleppo countryside inhabited by a well-off elderly couple, and expressing his intention to rob it. He secretly travelled to Syria, met with his accomplices, and planned the robbery with them. They then went to the house after midnight and entered by climbing into it. They hid inside until the husband woke up and left the house. At that point, A. N. stabbed and killed the wife, then stole the jewelry she was wearing and whatever money they could find. They subsequently set the house on fire after opening a gas cylinder in an attempt to conceal the traces of the crime. He then returned to Lebanon with some of the stolen items and sold them at a jewelry shop in the Bourj Hammoud area for USD 7,500, which he spent. Two days later, he learned that two of his accomplices had been arrested by the Syrian security forces. He therefore remained in Lebanon after becoming wanted by the Syrian judiciary. The necessary legal measures were taken against him, and he was handed over to the competent authority, based on the instructions of the competent judicial authorities.
30/9/2026