IDF career soldier Louie Balut, 34, of Fassuta in the Western Galil, who was named as the non-commissioned officer involved in a Hizbullah drug ring, told a Haifa Military Court on Thursday that he is loyal to the country and the charges being leveled against him are being exaggerated out of proportion.

Balut, the father of three and a member of Israel’s Christian community, was permitted to see his wife, children and brother for the first time since his arrest on Thursday as they were permitted to attend the legal procedure. He was not permitted to speak with them however.

His attorney, Adam Juranu told reporters that he has still not seen the indictment containing all the allegations being leveled against his client, but he remains confident that the truth will surface and it will be understood that his client is not a traitor to his country as is being alleged.

According to information released to the media, Balut was involved in a for-profit drug ring, smuggling narcotics into northern Israel from Lebanon, leading to the reality that he passed classified information to Hizbullah in exchange for payment and drugs.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)