The identity of the suicide bomber, who detonated a large quantity of explosives concealed in a Mitsubishi van, killing ex-Premier Rafik Hariri and 22 others, remains unknown, the indictment released by the international tribunal said Wednesday.
“On 14 February 2005, at about 12:52, closed-circuit TV footage shows the Mitsubishi Canter van move slowly towards the St. Georges Hotel,” the indictment said.
Full StorySpecial Tribunal for Lebanon Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare welcomed on Wednesday the recent order of Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen to unseal the indictment in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Bellmare said: “This Order will finally inform the public and the victims about the facts alleged in the indictment regarding the commission of the crime that led to charging the four accused.”
Full StorySpecial Tribunal for Lebanon Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen ordered on Wednesday that his decision confirming the indictment related to the February 14, 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, as well as the indictment itself, be made public, said the STL in a press release.
“In his decision confirming the indictment, the Pre-Trial Judge found that the Prosecution has presented sufficient evidence on a prima facie basis to proceed to trial,” it stated.
Full StoryPrime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Wednesday the relevant authorities in Lebanon did their best in their attempt to arrest the four suspects named in the indictment issued by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing the assassination of ex-PM Rafik Hariri.
“The relevant authorities have been looking for the various people on a daily basis,” Miqati told Newsweek U.S. weekly news magazine.
Full StoryFormer Prime Minister Saad Hariri condemned on Tuesday Iran’s position on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, noting that it is “exactly” like Hizbullah’s.
He said in a statement: “The Iranian position is an integral part of a policy aimed at limiting the STL’s work and preventing justice from being achieved.”
Full StoryThe Iranian foreign ministry slammed on Tuesday as “illegitimate” allegations about Tehran’s involvement in former Premier Rafik Hariri’s assassination.
"We believe that reports on Rafik Hariri and his tribunal are in line with the international smear campaign and seek particular political goals,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said.
Full StoryThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing the assassination of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri is investigating Iran’s possible involvement in the Feb. 2005 bombing that killed Hariri and 22 others, the German Der Spiegel magazine reported on Monday.
The report said that there is evidence that link Iran with the murder of Hariri.
Full StoryThe joint U.N. and international investigators commission informed former ministers Elias Murr and Marwan Hamadeh and ex-LBCI anchorwoman May Chidiac that two of the Hizbullah suspects accused of being involved in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri are also involved in their assassination attempts, revealed widely informed sources to the Central News Agency on Thursday.
The commission also informed them that these same two suspects are also involved in the assassination of former Lebanese Communist Party leader George Hawi, who was killed in a bomb attack planted in his car on June 21, 2005.
Full StoryLebanese Forces Samir Geagea stated on Thursday that the meetings at the Justice Palace demonstrate that former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s assassination is linked to the assassination attempts against former ministers Marwan Hamadeh and Elias Murr and ex-LBCI anchorwoman May Chidiac.
Meetings were held on Thursday between General Prosecutor Saeed Mirza and a Special Tribunal for Lebanon delegation with Murr, Hamadeh, and Chidiac.
Full StorySpecial Tribunal for Lebanon President Antonio Cassese issued on Thursday an open letter to the four suspects accused of being involved in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, informing them of their rights and urging them to appear in court, announced the STL press office.
He issued the letter in light of Lebanon’s informing of the STL that it has been unable to apprehend the suspects, adding that he is currently studying Lebanon’s report on the matter.
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