Lebanon’s military judiciary has charged 13 people affiliated with Hezbollah over the transportation of an explosives-laden truck intercepted at the Dahr al-Baydar checkpoint, in a case that could be referred to the country’s top judicial body for matters involving state security.

Military Prosecutor Judge Claude Ghanem filed charges against eight individuals whose identities have been established, including two men currently in custody, Haitham Amhaz and Ali al-Kurdi, a judicial source said.

The other defendants identified by name are Ibrahim Habib, known as “Sajed”; Bilal Sabouri, known as “Zulfiqar”; Mohammed Ayoub; Mohammed Zeaiter, who was allegedly traveling in a vehicle escorting the car carrying Amhaz and al-Kurdi; Mohammed Hazeimeh, the owner of that vehicle; and Irina Krishinova, Amhaz’s wife.

Ghanem also charged five other individuals affiliated with Hezbollah who are known by their aliases, but whose full identities have not yet been established, the source said.

The defendants face charges including undermining Lebanon’s internal and external security, committing offenses against state security, violating government decisions, possessing weapons and explosives, and forming unlawful associations intended to undermine the authority and standing of the state.

The charges also include offenses under Article 335 of the Penal Code and Articles 72 and 76 of the Weapons Law. The penalties under the cited provisions can reach 10 years of hard labor.

By charging the defendants under Article 335 of the Penal Code, Ghanem has left open the possibility of referring the case to the Judicial Council, which handles cases involving threats to state security.

Ghanem referred the defendants and the case file to First Military Investigative Judge Ghada Abou Alwan, who will conduct further investigations and issue the necessary arrest warrants.

Separately, Lebanese sources told Al Hadath that significant decisions were expected within hours in the case involving the Hezbollah explosives shipment.

The sources said the Lebanese State would not yield to threats from any party over the investigation, adding that the expected decisions would mark the end of an era in which some individuals or groups considered themselves above the law.