26 Sentenced for Role in Israeli Occupation

A military court sentenced 24 former Israeli-allied militiamen and two policemen to prison for collaborating with Israel during its occupation of southern Lebanon. All but three defendants were in custody when the court handed down sentences ranging from three months to 20 years. Verdicts by the court, which has since June sentenced at least 1,000 people on similar charges, cannot be appealed. Two of the three tried in absentia were sentenced to 20 years in prison. The third defendant was sentenced to two years. Lebanon, which is technically at war with Israel, prohibits any dealings or contacts with the Jewish state.