Charges have been formally filed against the 60 Minutes team currently imprisoned in Lebanon over a failed child recovery operation.

Reporter Tara Brown and three other members of the 60 Minutes team are facing several charges relating to kidnapping, a spokeswoman for Channel Nine confirmed.

Brown, producer Stephen Rice, cameraman Ben Williamson and sound recordist David Ballment appeared briefly before a judge in Baabda, near Beirut, on Tuesday afternoon, local time. They are among nine people reportedly under investigation in the case: two British, two Lebanese and five Australians.

A full court hearing is expected on Wednesday, local time. Fairfax Media understands they are facing up to four charges, which include kidnapping and causing injury, charges which could result in lengthy custodial sentences if convicted.