Lebanese Police Arrest Man for Holding Girls Hostage, Extorting Operators and Shooting at Refusal

The General Directorate of the Lebanese Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: "In the framework of the ongoing efforts by the Internal Security Forces to combat human trafficking and facilitate prostitution operations, information was available to the Information Branch regarding an unidentified individual who detained girls working in this field and imposed 'protection fees' on their operators.

Following this, specialized units within the branch intensified their field and technical efforts to identify and arrest the suspect. As a result of investigations and inquiries, his identity was determined as H.Y. (born in 1996, Lebanese), who has a criminal record in facilitating prostitution and imposing protection fees.

On September 2, 2026, after precise surveillance and monitoring, one of the branch's patrols managed to arrest him in the Airport Road area, aboard a rented car, which was seized.

M.Sh. (born in 1996, Lebanese) was also arrested with him.

A search of both individuals and the vehicle yielded a knife, two tablets containing cocaine, and a sum of money.

During interrogation, the first suspect confessed to the charges attributed to him, namely detaining the girls and the drivers responsible for transporting them, then contacting their operators and demanding payment for their release. He also admitted to firing at cars if the requested amounts were not paid.

The second detainee stated that his relationship with the first was limited to drug use.

Legal proceedings were initiated against both detainees, and they were referred along with the seized items to the competent authority, based on the instruction of the relevant judiciary, while work continues to arrest other involved parties."