Lebanese Twins Fined for Overstaying Belize Visitors’ Permits

Two Lebanese twin brothers facing allegations of using false Belizean birth certificates have also been fined for overstaying their visitors’ permits.  Twenty-year-old Alaa and Yahya Harmouch appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where they pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the conditions of their visitors’ permits.  Immigration records show that the brothers entered Belize through the northern border on January 1, 2026. They were permitted to remain in the country until January 30 but reportedly did not obtain extensions.  The matter came to light after the brothers visited the Immigration Department’s office in San Pedro on August thirteenth to apply for Belizean passports. They allegedly presented birth certificates and voters’ identification cards claiming they were born in Belize.  The birth certificates were flagged for further checks, and the brothers were detained. Police later charged each man with uttering a false document.  Yesterday, the brothers were each fined one thousand dollars, along with five dollars in court costs. The fines were ordered to be paid immediately, or they would face six months in prison.  The brothers, represented by attorney Lynden Jones, paid the fines and were freed on bail. They are expected to return to court in October as that case continues./////