Bellemare Demands Lebanese Authorities to be Heard in the Trial Chamber
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Special Tribunal for Lebanon prosecutor Daniel Bellemare said Tuesday it was premature to begin a trial in absentia against the accused Hizbullah members, demanding the Lebanese authorities to be heard in the Trial Chamber.
Lebanon's government has so far failed to arrest Salim Ayyash, Mustafa Badreddine, Hussein Oneissi, and Assad Sabra, wanted for the February 2005 murder of Hariri and 22 others.
"It is premature to initiate a trial in abstentia", Bellemare said in a document published on the court's website.
Last month, a judge asked the pre-trial chamber to determine whether proceedings in absentia against the four Hizbullah members were appropriate.
Ahead of a Friday hearing on the issue, the court asked both the prosecutors and defense lawyers to weigh in.
"Not enough time has been allowed for the Lebanese authorities to effect the arrests of the four accused," Bellemare said.
A previous Beirut government, led by Hariri's son Saad, cooperated with the tribunal, but in January Hizbullah toppled that western-backed coalition, largely over its support for the tribunal.
Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has dismissed the STL as a U.S.-Israeli conspiracy, vowing that no member of Hizbullah would ever be found or arrested.
"Not enough has been done to effect the arrests because the Lebanese authorities have either been unable or unwilling to do so," the prosecutor's statement further said, adding that " the Trial Chamber must invite the Lebanese authorities to be heard and to give evidence."
The Hague-based STL, which opened its doors in 2009, is the first international tribunal which can hold trials in absentia.
It is also the first with a designated defense office responsible for protecting the rights of the accused.
08 November 2011, 22:06
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I was in favour of the tribunal when it was set up as I could not trust the Lebanese justice system. Unfortunately, it was not set up in a constitutional way and all the shenanigans and delays since do not inspire confidence.
Having said this, I am looking forward to a trial in absentia to see if the tribunal really has convincing proofs against anybody, or whether it is just a manipulation.
Knowing and condemning whoever did the crime is much more important to me than actually punishing them. I wish we knew as much about who killed Bachir and Rene Moawad.
Unfortunately the additional delay asked by Bellmare gives the impression that the desire is to keep the political game going as long as possible. A trial where Bellemare would lose would end the political blackmail being exercised.
09 November 2011, 17:23
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the wheels of justice turn ever so slowly - only in places like Syria does an investigation take 20 minutes and a trial last 2 minutes!
