The Brisbane mother and 60 Minutes TV crew detained in Lebanon will mount a legal defence after charges were filed against them, some carrying jail sentences of up to 20 years.

Reporter Tara Brown, producer Stephen Rice, cameraman Ben Williamson and sound recordist David Ballment had travelled to Lebanon to cover the story of Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner, who it is alleged was attempting to retrieve her children from their father in Beirut.

They appeared before a judge individually today, along with Ms Faulkner, who was in tears as the charges were read out.

David "Tangles" Ballment (60 Minutes)

Stephen Rice (60 Minutes)

Ben Williamson (60 Minutes)

Tara Brown (60 Minutes)

The crew are facing charges of hiding information, forming an association of two or more people to commit crime against a person, kidnapping or holding a minor even with their approval, and physical assault.

The charges carry possible jail sentences ranging from three to 20 years.

Two members of a child recovery group have also had charges filed against them.

A statement released by the Nine Network confirmed the crew are “being detained in Lebanon facing charges of offences related to kidnapping”.

“The matter appeared briefly before a judge in Beirut today, Tuesday, but it will be some days before the crew are interviewed by the judge which will be their first chance to defend the charges.”

No application for bail has been made.

The five Australians were arrested last week following the alleged child recovery operation on the streets of Beirut.

CCTV footage aired in local media appeared to show Ms Faulkner’s children Noah, 4, and Lahela, 6, being snatched from their paternal grandmother by a group of masked men and bundled into a car.

Tara Brown (60 Minutes)