STL Says Alleged List Endangers Witnesses Lives, Confirms Taking Measures

The U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon on Thursday condemned “in the strongest possible terms” what it called “the latest attempt to interfere with the proper administration of justice by publishing a list of alleged witnesses and potentially endangering the lives of Lebanese citizens.”

The website of al-Mustaqbal newspaper, which is owned by slain ex-premier Rafik Hariri's family, was hacked on Tuesday and its front page was replaced with the alleged names of the “secret witnesses in the STL” by a group calling itself “Journalists for the Truth.” The list can also be found on the group's website.

“The list of persons that could be placed at risk by this irresponsible website is not, in fact, an accurate reflection of official court records,” the STL noted in a press release.

“The Tribunal will not comment on the Prosecution’s witness list as submitted in the Pre Trial Brief as it is currently confidential by a judicial order,” it said.

The court said those behind the website “purporting to unveil the 'truth', are in grave breach of journalistic ethics and employ questionable methods such as Internet hacking.”

“Any attempt to knowingly and willfully interfere with the judicial process, including disclosure of confidential material or threatening, intimidating, or otherwise interfering with potential witnesses, is taken very seriously by the four organs of the Tribunal,” the STL warned.

It confirmed that it has requested the assistance of “Lebanese authorities and others in this matter so that appropriate measures may be taken if necessary.”

“While there are measures currently being undertaken by the Tribunal in response to the website that purports to name alleged witnesses, discussing those measures in public could hinder our efforts,” said the STL.