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.

6/1/2026

Issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division The following statement: Recently, news circulated in some media outlets and on social media regarding the death of an inmate at Roumieh Central Prison, approximately one week after the death of another inmate at the same prison. It was alleged that the cause of death was due to the spread of tuberculosis within the prison. The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces wishes to clarify the following: 1- On December 27, 2025, the on-duty doctor at Roumieh Central Prison – Juvenile Detention Center – examined inmate H.B. Born in 1986, of Palestinian nationality, he was diagnosed with general deterioration and had vomited several times, necessitating his immediate transfer to a hospital for treatment. 2- On the same date, while at Al-Hayat Hospital awaiting the results of an X-ray and after his condition had improved, he suffered a sudden and severe heart attack and subsequently passed away. 3- After the forensic doctor examined the body, it was determined that the cause of death was sudden cardiac arrest. Traces of injections were found in his upper thighs (femoral artery). Laboratory tests were negative for the use of any narcotics or prohibited substances. He was suffering from mild inflammation and a slight decrease in his white blood cell count. 4- Investigations revealed that the deceased inmate had been drawing a quantity of his own blood and mixing it with some powdered medication—the type of which has not yet been determined due to pending test results—before injecting it into himself via the femoral artery. This led to complications affecting his heart and lungs. This information was provided by two inmates who had also been using this method of injection. Following the death of the aforementioned inmate, they approached the prison administration seeking assistance, fearing for their own health. On December 29, 30, and 31, 2025, in coordination with the security forces, specialized teams from the Ministry of Public Health reviewed the files of inmates transferred from the juvenile detention center to hospitals, including (H.B.). X-rays were also performed on every inmate exhibiting a cough or any other health symptom, and all results were negative. It was also found that the tuberculosis (TB) and cholera tests were negative for everyone. Therefore, there is no outbreak of TB, cholera, or any other epidemic in Roumieh Prison. The investigation is ongoing under the supervision of the competent judicial authorities.

6/1/2026

On the occasion of Christmas, and in cooperation between the Internal Security Forces and the General Directorate of Prisons, a Christmas Mass was held at Jbeil Prison. The Mass was presided over by Bishop Michel Aoun, Maronite Bishop of Jbeil, assisted by a number of priests. Also in attendance were Captain Suleiman Mudhaffar, Commander of Jbeil Prison; Ms. Natalie Maroun, Governor of Jbeil; Ms. Rida Azar, member of the National Committee Against Torture and for Human Rights; Sister Maria Goretti, a prison director; and a number of prison staff and inmates. Bishop Aoun focused on the meaning of Christmas and its messages of hope and peace, emphasizing that a prisoner is not stripped of their humanity or rights, even while in detention. At the conclusion of the Mass, those present listened to the prisoners' requests for solutions to the complex issues they face within the prison.

25/12/2025

Issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division The following statement: As part of the ongoing efforts of the Internal Security Forces to combat various types of crime throughout Lebanon, including facilitating prostitution, and through investigations, inquiries, and patrols, a patrol from the Counter-Terrorism and Major Crimes Bureau of the Judicial Police Unit, in the Bouar area of ​​Nahr Ibrahim, stopped a silver Daewoo belonging to an associate of a person wanted by the judiciary for facilitating prostitution. The patrol officers surrounded the vehicle and arrested its driver, identified as: - N.A. (born in 1967, Lebanese) And with him was: - R.H. (born in 1983, Syrian) He confessed that he was driving her to a client's house, and that his job was to transport women to clients' homes, on the orders of: - Kh.A. (Born in 1976, Lebanese), efforts are underway to apprehend him. He also confessed to the presence of four women, working in prostitution, at a chalet, where the patrol arrested them. They are of Syrian nationality: – W.Z. (born in 1999) – R.H. (born in 2000) – M.A. (born in 1988) – R.A. (born in 2003) All four were taken to the station along with the vehicle after being searched, and no contraband was found in their possession. The detainees were handed over to the relevant authorities in accordance with the instructions of the competent judicial body, and efforts are continuing to apprehend the remaining individuals involved.

22/12/2025