BEIRUT — Lebanon's illegal Internet scandal has been a hot topic since it fell under the public spotlight last month. Illegal transmission stations have been dismantled and legal and judicial investigations are ongoing. But what remains to be seen is whether the investigations will be completed to ensure the prosecution of everyone involved.

The Ministry of Telecommunication had informed the parliamentary Communications and Media Committee of legal, financial and security dangers related to companies illegally providing Internet services through fiber optic transmission stations and receivers not subject to state supervision. Following the committee's March 8 meeting, committee head Hassan Fadlallah of the Shiite Hezbollah party announced the information during a joint press conference. 

Owners of an estimated seven stations have been buying bandwidth at a low price from outside the Lebanese network, specifically from Cyprus and Turkey, and then selling it to Lebanese subscribers at prices lower than the official rate, officials say.

Lebanon's Internet sector is run by the state-owned company Ogero, whose director general and general manager Abdel Moneim Youssef has more than 52 complaints, lawsuits, warrants and warnings issued against him. The Progressive Socialist Party has called for an April 20 protest against his alleged corruption.