Embassy in Lebanon Embassy ● Roster captured

The National News reported on August 29th that “two Russian citizens recently detained in Beirut over alleged espionage for Israel have been handed over to the military prosecutors, a general security source has confirmed to The National. The pair were arrested “several weeks ago” in the capital while attempting to leave Lebanon via Rafik Hariri International Airport. The investigative military judge then issued an arrest warrant for them, AP reported. “We arrested a network of two individuals at Beirut Airport who had affiliations with the enemy [Israel] and were tasked with operations inside the country,” said the interim chief of Lebanon’s General Security agency Elias Al Baysari. “Security preservation is a red line, counter-terrorism is a priority and tackling espionage and dealing with the enemy is an absolute priority.” He did not disclose their identities or say precisely when they were detained. “We questioned them and referred them to the specialised military judiciary,” he added. The two Russians are suspected of spying on the Iran-backed Hezbollah group on behalf of Israel. Pro-Hezbollah Lebanese daily newspaper Al Akhbar identified the pair in question as Yuri Rinatovich Chaykin, 46, and Alexandrovia Chaykin, 44, a married couple allegedly enlisted by Israel’s intelligence agency to gather information on Hezbollah. They were arrested after the man tried to break into a flat in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a stronghold of the Shiite militia. Russia’s embassy in Lebanon confirmed to state-owned RIA Novosti it was aware of the case and was actively seeking additional information. “The embassy is aware of the current situation with the detention of Russian citizens in Lebanon and is taking the necessary steps to get the details from the Lebanese side,” diplomatic officials told the news agency. Contacted by The National, the Russian embassy declined to provide additional comments.”