Trial Set In Cyprus Over Hizbullah Bomb Plot

A Lebanese-Canadian accused of involvement in an alleged Hizbullah plot to stockpile explosives to target Israelis or Jews will stand trial in Cyprus on June 29, authorities said on Friday.

The 26-year-old man was arrested in late May after police discovered a huge quantity of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, a chemical used in making explosives, in the basement of a home.

The man faces 16 charges including possession of explosives, conspiracy to commit a crime and aiding and abetting a terrorist group, police spokesman Charalambos Zachariou said.

“It covers a period of time from 2012 to May 2015,” he told reporters.

Police said the man would remain in custody until his trial.

His court appearances to date, to extend his detention, have been held behind closed doors for security reasons. It was not clear whether the same restriction will apply during the trial.

Cyprus’s foreign minister told Reuters the government believes it thwarted a plot by Hizbullah.

This article appeared in print on page 6 of the June 22nd, 2015 edition of Hamodia.