Alleged spy had high-tech system to transmit data
The head of an Israeli spy ring, arrested last Saturday, reportedly used a mini-bar fitted with a state-of-the-art communications system to transmit sensitive information to Israeli intelligence ahead of the 2006 summer war.
Adib Allam, a retired general in Lebanon”s General Security, was arrested last weekend along with his wife Hayat for spying for Israel. Citing defense sources, local press reported that Lebanese security officials searching Allam”s home found a functioning mini-bar that doubled as a communications system that could transmit and receive information via satellite.
According to sources cited by the pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat, Allam "was an officer with a great deal of experience in information intelligence and photography." The paper also reported that Allam contacted Israeli officials before his arrest with concerns that he was being watched. Despite their reassurances, Allam reportedly destroyed several incriminating documents.
However, according to Lebanon”s An-Nahar, Lebanese security officials nevertheless found a collection of evidence including maps, pictures and other detailed information.
Allegedly the former general had pictures, one of the Mdayrej Bridge that was destroyed in the 2006 war, and maps of major Lebanese thoroughfares dating back to 2004.
In addition, the daily cited sources as saying that Allam was asked to go on investigative missions, some targeting Hizbullah, across Lebanon.
Al-Hayat reported that Allam began spying for Israel in 1994, when he took four separate trips to the country for training missions. On several other occasions, he traveled to the Jewish state by flying to Europe, usually Italy, where he obtained a "special" Israeli passport from Mossad operatives, the daily said.
Allam”s nephew was also arrested this week according to reports. G. Allam, as he has been labeled, lived in the southern town of Rmeich and was a corporal in General Security.