Military Examining Magistrate Rashid Mizher has formally charged and demanded life in prison for Marwan Kamel Faqih, a car dealer who passed information about Hizbullah to Israel.
Lebanese authorities have made dozens of arrests in recent months and filed preliminary charges but this has been the first formal indictment since a crackdown began earlier this year against those accused of collaborating with Israel.
The suspect, a car dealer from the southern market town of Nabatiyeh, was accused of providing information about Hizbullah and Lebanese army positions, as well as entering Israel and meeting with intelligence officials, said Mizher.
Israel in the past declined to comment on the case.
The case became public in the spring when media reported Faqih was involved in an operation to fit cars he later sold to Hizbullah members with sophisticated electronic devices that provided the Israelis with information about the whereabouts and movements of the group”s members.
Lebanese security officials confirmed he was picked up by Hizbullah in January and handed over to Lebanese authorities in February.
Mizher said he initially recommended the death penalty for Faqih but reduced it to life in prison because he was not involved in attacks against any Lebanese.
Mizher”s formal indictment is the last legal step before the case goes to court. No date for the trial has been set.