( RT ) - Eighteen-year-old Sergey Vysotsky is one of four Russian citizens who could be put to death in Lebanon if found guilty of terrorist offences. The teenager is under arrest in the capital Beirut. The other three Russians remain at large. All four are thought to be part of the radical Palestinian movement Fatah Al-Islam.
Lebanese authorities met Russian diplomats in Beirut to confirm the charges against the four Russian citizens. All are suspected of terrorist activities. The men could face the death penalty if found guilty.
However, Geidar Dzhemal, the Chairman of Russia's Islamic Committee says it's likely the four Russians will be sent home.
"We have information that they will not be sent to Guantanamo or sent to any other Lebanese prison. They are Russian citizens and will be returned home, to Russia. Whether it will be followed by a court trial or what sort of court - is still a question to be agreed. It shall be decided between the legal agencies of the two countries," he said.
Teenager wanted to study in Lebanon.
The teenager Sergey Vysotsky, 18, claims he came to Lebanon at the beginning of the year with the intention of going to university in Tripoli, in the north of the country. He says the college had no place for him when he arrived. He says he then became friendly with a group of youths from a nearby Palestinian refugee camp. That's the reason, he says, he was in the area of the battlefield when he was arrested in early September.
The Press-Attache of the Russian Embassy in Lebanon, Vladimir Cherepanov, told Russia Today that the Head of the Consular Department visited Vysotsky in prison. He saw the conditions he is being kept in and said they were acceptable. He also confirmed that embassy staff will be present when police question the youth.
"Vysotksy has said he has no complaints about being kept in custody. He appears quite healthy. He was not tortured during the preliminary investigation and it is apparent from the way he looks. He confirms that he was detained in early September in the battle area. From October 11 interrogations will begin with the preliminary investigation, during which our consul will be present as agreed with the Lebanese side," Mr Cherepanov informed.
Sergey Vysotsky is said to be co-operating with officers, but has consistently denied the accusations against him. He says he was no way involved in the killing of Lebanese military and police personnel.
On Thursday he will appear before a Lebanese judge for the first time, which will be his first official interrogation. The Russian Embassy has requested that a representative be present. They will also provide a translator.
Under Lebanese law Vysotsky must be provided with a lawyer, free of charge, once his trial begins. But before that the Russian Embassy will be providing him with one, including at the first session to take place on Thursday.
The Embassy says it's satisfied with the close co-operation between the Russian and the Lebanese authorities.