Lebanese military court judge charges 13 over seized Hezbollah explosives truck

A judge at a Lebanese military court charges 13 people over a truck carrying explosives belonging to the Hezbollah terror group that was seized by authorities earlier this month, state media reports.

Two of the defendants were arrested when the shipment was seized and are in custody. The others remain at large and were charged in absentia. Five of the defendants were listed only by nicknames because their real names are still unknown.

The charges include crimes against internal state security and possessing weapons and explosives and forming illegal associations aimed at undermining the authority of the state, the state-run National News Agency says.

There is no immediate comment from Hezbollah.

The truck, which was stopped at a checkpoint on the main highway linking Beirut with the eastern Bekaa Valley earlier in October, was carrying 780 kilograms (1,720 pounds) of explosives, including 250 kilograms (550 pounds) of TNT and 250 kilograms (550 pounds) of C-4 plastic explosives, according to judicial officials.

The news of its seizure generated heated public discussion, with many accusing Hezbollah of planning to carry out assassinations of domestic opponents at a time when the group is under increasing pressure to disarm.

Hezbollah later issued a statement acknowledging that the explosives belonged to the group. It said they were intended for use against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. It said it had requested that Lebanese authorities return the explosives and release the two people who were detained.