BICOM

A man on trial in Cyprus suspected of helping plan a terrorist attack against Israeli tourists on the island yesterday admitted in court to being an active member of Hezbollah.

Hossam Taleb Yaacoub, who has both Lebanese and Swedish citizenship, was arrested in Cyprus just days before a bus bomb in the Bulgarian resort of Burgas killed five Israeli tourists last July. A Bulgarian investigation concluded earlier this month that Hezbollah was responsible for the Burgas bombing and Cypriot authorities believe that they prevented a similar attack.

In a court in Limassol, Yaacoub, who is accused of membership of an organisation “carrying out missions in any part of the world, including the Republic of Cyprus, against Israeli citizens,” yesterday admitted that he has been a member of Hezbollah since 2007. He acknowledged being trained to use weapons and having acted as a courier for the organisation in Turkey, France and the Netherlands. In court yesterday, Yaacoub gave details of meetings with his Hezbollah handler and said that he had staked out locations in Cyprus which were known to be popular with Israeli tourists, including venues which serve kosher food. He had also noted the number plates of tour busses carrying Israelis.

A verdict in the trial is not expected until the middle of March, but it will likely be followed closely across the European Union, which is currently considering how to respond to the Bulgarian investigation into the Burgas bombing. The probe has led to increased calls on the EU to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation, a step which could significantly hamper Hezbollah’s activities and in particular its’ fundraising capacity. The Times comments that the trial in Cyprus “could sway the debate in the European Union” on the issue.