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.
Issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division The following statement: Following several burglaries in the Tariq al-Jdideh neighborhood, carried out professionally by breaking and entering using metal tools, the most recent of which involved the theft of gold jewelry valued at approximately sixty thousand US dollars, the specialized units of the Internal Security Forces intensified their efforts to identify and apprehend the perpetrator. As a result of intensive follow-up and investigations, the Information Division was able to fully identify the suspect. Accordingly, a well-planned ambush was executed in the Cola neighborhood, where, on January 12, 2026, an Information Division patrol arrested the individual known as: - F.M. (Born in 1991, Syrian) During questioning, he confessed to committing four burglaries in the Tariq al-Jdideh neighborhood, particularly in the vicinity of Beirut Arab University and the municipal stadium. The most recent burglary occurred on January 11, 2026. The value of the stolen items, consisting of gold jewelry, was estimated at approximately $60,000 USD. It was also revealed that he has a prior criminal record for theft and that his modus operandi involves breaking into homes and stealing jewelry. The necessary legal procedures were carried out against him, and the investigation is ongoing under the supervision of the competent judicial authorities.
16/1/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: As part of the ongoing efforts of the specialized units within the Internal Security Forces to combat robbery and theft across all Lebanese territories and apprehend the perpetrators, and following several complaints regarding an unidentified individual luring people through a global application for gay men, arranging meetings, and then taking them to the Kasara roundabout and subsequently to other secluded locations to steal their cars, money, or mobile phones. As a result of the follow-up, on January 15, 2026, a patrol from the Bekaa Investigation Detachment of the Regional Gendarmerie Unit arrested the suspect in a security operation involving a well-planned ambush in the town of Saadnayel, in cooperation with Army Intelligence in the Bekaa. The suspect was identified as: - A.S. (born in 2003, Lebanese). It was also revealed that he had committed several robberies, stealing money and mobile phones from citizens using a knife that was found in his possession. He had also stolen a car from one of his victims, which was later recovered in the town of Talia. He was selling the stolen goods in the town of Hortaala and using the proceeds to buy drugs. The suspect and the seized items were handed over to the relevant unit, and an investigation was launched under the supervision of the competent judicial authorities.
16/1/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: At 10:30 AM on January 12, 2026, the Bekaa Investigation Detachment of the Regional Gendarmerie Unit received information that an unidentified individual had stabbed a student on school grounds in the town of Saadnayel. A patrol from the detachment immediately went to the school and was able to identify the suspect as: - A.M. (born in 2009, Syrian national). They arrested him and seized the weapon used in the crime, a switchblade knife. It was also determined that the student injured in the attack, named: - S.M. (born in 2011, Lebanese), was transported in critical condition to a local hospital and will undergo surgery. Initial investigations by the Shtoura police station revealed that the suspect was a student at the same school. He had come under the pretext of greeting former classmates, but his true intention was to stab another student for personal reasons; however, he mistakenly targeted the wrong person. The investigation is ongoing under the supervision of the competent judicial authorities.
12/1/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division The following statement: Traffic patrols of the Internal Security Forces continue their mission of monitoring speeding violations using radar, day and night. During the week from January 5, 2026, to the morning of January 12, 2026, they recorded 4,286 speeding violations. This is aimed at ensuring the safety of citizens, deterring drivers from speeding, and reducing accidents. Furthermore, within the framework of their duties to maintain security and order and combat crime of all kinds, Internal Security Forces units, from January 5, 2026, to the morning of January 12, 2026, inclusive, arrested 240 individuals for committing various criminal acts throughout Lebanon. These individuals were wanted by the judiciary on various warrants and court orders.
12/1/2026
