Lt.-Col. Omar al-Heib was named on Thursday as the senior Israeli officer who was indicted, along with 11 other citizens for allegedly spying for Hizbullah, in exchange for drugs and money, in one of Israel's most serious espionage cases in recent years.
Al-Heib, a Bedoin officer, from Beit Zarzir, was indicted Thursday for espionage for Hizbullah and dealing drugs. Other members of the ring to be indicted were Jammal Omar and Mahmud Ghazal of Beit Zarzir, and Jazaal Rahel of Shfaram.
According to the charges, the suspects tried to relay maps, details about sensitive intelligence facilities and personal information about former Israeli Military Northern Commander Major General Gabi Ashkenazi, currently the Deputy Chief of Staff, and another senior Northern Command officer.
According to press reports, the spy ring was also responsible for the transfer of cell phones to Hizbullah. One was found on the body of a Palestinian who penetrated into Israel last March and carried out a shooting attack near Kibbutz Metzuba, in which six Israelis were killed. The monitoring of calls to this cell phone was one means by which Israeli authorities cracked the spy ring case. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
