Hezbollah Treasurer Detained In Brazil - Prosecutor's Office

Hezbollah Treasurer Detained in Brazil - Prosecutor's Office

MEXICO CITY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2018) Brazil's Federal police detained the alleged treasurer of the Lebanon-based Hezbollah movement sought in Paraguay, the Brazilian Prosecutor's Office said on Friday.

"The Lebanese was detained in Brazil on request of the Prosecutor's Office. Assad Barakat is a financial operator of the Hezbollah terror group. The arrest was carried out by the anti-terror unit of the Federal Police," the statement read.

Barakat was detained in the border city of Foz do Iguacu at the authorization of the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court, according to the statement,.

The detainee is wanted by the authorities of Paraguay, while he has also been accused of various crimes by the United States and Argentina, according to media reports.

The United States considers Hezbollah a terrorist group, though other countries, including Russia, do not. Several countries and the European Union distinguish between the group's military and political wings, sanctioning the prior while engaging with the latter.

Hezbollah operates a military wing that has battled Israel during successive Israeli invasions of Lebanon. Hezbollah's military wing is currently active in Syria, where it is fighting on behalf of the government of President Bashar Assad.

The group also runs a political party that participates in all levels of the Lebanese government, including the Cabinet, Parliament and local municipalities.