Lebanese authorities detained the former Palestinian ambassador to Lebanon on corruption charges shortly after his arrival in the country, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Arrest at Beirut Airport
The officials reported that Ashraf Dabbour was taken into custody upon landing at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport late Tuesday. Two judicial and two security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on media communication, provided the details.
Background of the Case
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas removed Dabbour from his role as Palestinian ambassador to Lebanon last year, following accusations of corruption by the Palestinian Authority. Lebanese authorities stated that the arrest was executed based on a Red Notice issued by Interpol in late 2023.
Dabbour is alleged to have been involved in the illicit sale of property in Lebanon owned by the Palestine Liberation Organization, which had its base in the country until Israel's invasion in 1982.
According to the officials, Dabbour is currently being interrogated by a judge at the prosecutor's office in Beirut.
