Lebanese authorities lay charges against 60 Minutes crew alleging kidnap involvement
A 60 Minutes crew, including reporter Tara Brown, have been charged by authorities over their involvement in a child recovery operation in Lebanon.
Authorities in Lebanon have reportedly filed multiple charges, including one that involves the allegation of kidnap, over their involvement in the attempt by Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner to retrieve her two children.
“Channel Nine can confirm tonight that its 60 Minutes crew being detained in Lebanon are facing being charged with offences related to kidnapping,” said a Nine spokeswoman.
The 60 minutes crew currently in prison in Lebanon includes Brown and also producer Stephen Rice, camera man Ben Williamson and sound recordist David Ballment.
The matter appeared briefly before a judge in Beirut earlier today; however, it is expected that it will be some days before the crew are interviewed by the judge, which will be their first chance to respond to any additional charges that may be laid.
“We do not have any further details at this time and we are not able to comment on any other aspects of the matter at this time,” said the Nine spokeswoman.
Nine’s news and current affairs boss Darren Wick has flown to Beirut to help the Department of Foreign Affairs which is attempting to provide consular support.
In recent days, the Nine Network has played down allegations it paid $120,000 to the agency involved in the child recovery operation.
“They are journalists covering a story. That is all,” said a Nine spokeswoman, earlier in this week.
The police allege they were involved in an attempt to kidnap two children and media reports have since suggested that Nine may have been involved in paying for the operation.
In a opening statement on Sunday night’s 60 Minutes episode, host Michael Usher told viewers that Brown and the crew members, were being detained “a world away”.
“Everyone in the Nine News and 60 Minutes family is doing their utmost to support (them),” said Usher.
“It’s a stressful time for them and their families and the last thing our team wanted was to become the subject of their own story.
“For those working hard for their safe return, we earnestly thank you and we’ll keep you posted as events unfold.”
Nic Christensen
Have they been charged or not? The headline says they have.
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No matter what happens, let’s hope for the best for the 60 minutes crew, this is a big lesson in cheque book journalism…….& IF they paid for the operation…..some heads will need to roll.
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this is a nasty story all round and while it’s easy for us to sympathise & side with the 60 Minutes crew, let’s just think how aghast we would be if a Lebanese film crew came here and broke one of our laws on behalf of one of their citizens
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Do we have extradition treaties with Lebanon that allow for Nine’s executives to be surrendered if they took part in the planning/financing of the alleged attempted kidnapping?
Can the AFP assist Lebanese police with its inquiries?
Just charging those caught at the scene lets other potential conspirators get off without consequence.
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They really have damaged the brand and Kerry is not impressed
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If a film crew came from Lebanese to Australia and helped Kidnap two childen from one of their Australian parents would we feel outraged?
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I realise that I am just an old white male, and therefore very unlikely to be a valid player in the opinion stakes, but I can’t help feeling that news should be allowed to make itself, that the laws of foreign countries should be respected even though we may disagree, and that the fourth estate, should stand for something of value.
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I’ll take their place in a Lebanese gaol. Mmmmmmm
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Did the 60 Minutes execs not follow the Peter Greste saga and learn something from it?
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Bravo Richard Moss … I’m with you, mate.
Let’s get back to fair-dinkum values in the media.
For what it is worth, I was a fulltime journo for 38 years and still freelance for anyone desperate enough to hire me.
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I feel sorry for tge Grandmother who was looking after the kids, she would of been absolutely terrified. Why was it such a mess? Surely educated people would of known the outcome especially you went to Lebanon and did that ! Its kinda pretty disgraceful. I am a full Australian but what the hell were you thinking?
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Hi, what I have to say ,my wife took my three children for six weeks holiday in Europe in1989 and she never return back to Australia,
My children their born in Australia and I never see my children for twenty seven years.
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