Lebanese man arrested in Germany on Hezbollah membership charges

A Lebanese national has been arrested in Germany on suspicion of being a member of the militant group Hezbollah and of working for organizations linked to the group within the country.

Federal prosecutors revealed that the suspect, identified only as Fadel R. in accordance with German privacy laws, was detained in the Hannover region on December 3, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The man faces allegations of membership in a foreign terrorist organization, though he is not accused of being directly involved in any violent acts.

Prosecutors stated that he joined Hezbollah as early as the summer of 2008 and took part in leadership training courses in Lebanon. From 2009 onwards, he allegedly held leadership roles within two Hezbollah-affiliated groups in the Hannover area, where he organized events featuring speakers sympathetic to the organization.

In addition, prosecutors claim that in 2017, he briefly worked as a correspondent for a Hezbollah media outlet and was involved in coordinating construction work at a mosque.

Germany is a steadfast ally of Israel and is home to a large Lebanese immigrant community, numbering over 100,000 people.

Notably, Hezbollah, a political party and militant group, emerged in Lebanon during the 1975-1990 Civil War, primarily as a response to Israeli invasions and the Palestinian presence in the country. Backed by Iran, Hezbollah's mission is rooted in its violent opposition to Israel and its resistance to Western influence in the Middle East.

It is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and many other countries, largely due to its frequent attacks on Israeli and foreign targets, including the 1983 suicide bombing of US and French military barracks in Beirut.

Founded with Iranian support, Hezbollah adopted a militant ideology centered on expelling Western powers from Lebanon and the broader Middle East, as well as seeking the destruction of Israel. Its 1985 manifesto reinforced its allegiance to Iran and promoted the establishment of an Islamist regime inspired by Tehran’s governance.

Over time, Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon has grown significantly, securing political power and control over key territories, leading to its description as a "state within a state."

Hezbollah’s relationship with Iran and Syria has solidified its military strength, including an arsenal capable of launching frequent cross-border attacks on Israel. These escalations, particularly in recent years amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas, have heightened tensions in the region.

In 2024, Hezbollah's long-standing leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed by Israeli forces, marking a significant shift in the group’s battle with Israel. Despite this, Hezbollah remains a dominant force in Lebanese politics and military operations.

By Aghakazim Guliyev