Cypriot court convicts Hezbollah militant for anti-Israeli plot

A self-confessed Hezbollah militant accused of being part of a plot to attack Israeli interests on the Mediterranean island has been convicted of multiple charges by a court in Cyprus.

Hossam Taleb Yaacoub, a dual Lebanese and Swedish citizen arrested in the port of Limassol in July last year, was found guilty on Thursday on five counts, including participating in a criminal organisation, taking part in a criminal act and money laundering.

"Any logical explanation that could present these actions as innocent ones is completely lacking," judges in the Limassol criminal court said in an 80-page decision laying out how they reached their verdict.

"The purpose of Hezbollah in connection with the actions of the accused, constitute a criminal organisation in this regard ... based on the specific actions of the accused in Cyprus," the decision added.

Yaacoub, who faces up to 14 years in prison, was, however, cleared of three charges pertaining to conspiracy to commit a crime because they were covered by the other offences. The court will reconvene on March 28 for sentencing.

Yaacoub, 24, told the court last month that he had collected information on Israeli tourists visiting the island, but denied plotting to attack them.

He said he had been asked to log information on Israeli flight arrivals in Cyprus and jot down the number plates of buses carrying Jewish tourists.