February 25, 2009 - Naharnet - 2 Convicted in Absentia Arrive Via Damascus Without Being Arrested

Two Lebanese men convicted in absentia – including the brother of Brig. Gen. Mustafa Hamdan who is in police custody since 2005 on charges of involvement in the assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri – have reportedly arrived in Beirut via Damascus without being arrested. The daily An Nahar on Wednesday said that Hamdan's brother, Majed, and Walid Zaghloul arrived in a Mercedes-Benz at the Masnaa border crossing on Feb.1. It said the two men stepped out of the Mercedes and got into a waiting car with tinted windows without being arrested. They were accompanied by two escort vehicles, according to An Nahar, to the Bekaa town of Chtaura where cars were swapped for camouflage cover. Hamdan and Zaghloul are convicted in absentia for possession of arms, buying military equipment and attempts to undermine state authority. An Nahar said one of the two men is wanted by INTERPOL. The daily said the men's arrival had been arranged in advance between Syrian security services and local Lebanese circles, which facilitated their safe entry. It quoted witnesses as saying that the motorcade headed to Beirut where Hamdan and Zaghloul got into a hotel amidst heavy security mounted by party members.(Naharnet file photo shows Mustafa Hamdan)