Kathmandu— Lebanese authorities arrested a former Syrian army general in Beirut on Friday after he visited the Syrian embassy for paperwork, leading officials to weigh whether to extradite him to Syria to face accusations related to his military service. Major-General Adel Issa, 67, was taken into custody by investigators from the Central Criminal Investigation Department and moved to a facility at the Beirut Palace of Justice after embassy staff alerted the prosecutor's office that he was a wanted individual.

Arrest and Investigation Details

The arrest occurred during a routine visit to the Syrian embassy in Beirut. According to judicial and security officials, embassy staff recognized Issa as a wanted man and immediately notified Lebanon’s prosecutor’s office.

During questioning, Issa admitted to entering Lebanon illegally following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government, though he reportedly denied all wrongdoing. He is currently being held at the Beirut Palace of Justice while investigators determine the next steps.

Broader Syrian Reckoning

Issa, 67, held significant military positions during the al-Assad era. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, he once commanded Syria’s 17th Division before being reassigned in 2015 to lead ground forces in Deir Az Zour province near the Iraqi border, a role he maintained until his retirement in late 2016.

A New Era of Accountability

The detention of Issa comes as Syria undergoes a broader reckoning with the legacy of the al-Assad regime. Since opposition fighters seized Damascus in December 2024, many former officials have fled to Lebanon, where some remain in hiding.

This case marks a potential milestone, as it would be the first extradition of a former official to Syria since the collapse of the previous government. Other high-profile figures are already facing legal scrutiny, including al-Assad’s cousin, Atef Najib, whose trial regarding his role in the 2011 uprising is currently underway.

Lebanese authorities are expected to wait until Monday for formal charges from Damascus before deciding whether to proceed with extradition, following a request from Lebanon’s public prosecutor for the suspect’s extradition file.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.