Leidschendam, 23 November 2011 – The Trial Chamber has decided today to await a response from the Lebanese authorities on their efforts to arrest the accused before deciding whether to begin proceedings in absentia.
The Trial Chamber has requested the Tribunal's Prosecutor to file a progress report by 8 December on the response of the Lebanese authorities.
The judges of the Trial Chamber are responsible for deciding whether to try the accused in their absence, given that none of the four indicted men has yet been arrested.
During a hearing held on 11 November, the Prosecution argued that the Lebanese authorities should do more to locate and arrest the accused before the Tribunal could try them in absentia. On 11 November the Prosecution sent 10 requests for assistance to the Lebanese Prosecutor General asking him to take additional steps.
The Tribunal's Defence Office asked the Trial Chamber to consider withdrawing the arrest warrants and notifying the accused of the possibility of appearing at trial by video-conference.
The Trial Chamber decided that the four accused should be formally notified of their rights to attend the trial.
When the Trial Chamber has the responses from the Lebanese authorities it will then decide whether it should invite Lebanese officials to provide additional information.
The Trial Chamber has requested the Tribunal's Prosecutor to file a progress report by 8 December on the response of the Lebanese authorities.
The judges of the Trial Chamber are responsible for deciding whether to try the accused in their absence, given that none of the four indicted men has yet been arrested.
During a hearing held on 11 November, the Prosecution argued that the Lebanese authorities should do more to locate and arrest the accused before the Tribunal could try them in absentia. On 11 November the Prosecution sent 10 requests for assistance to the Lebanese Prosecutor General asking him to take additional steps.
The Tribunal's Defence Office asked the Trial Chamber to consider withdrawing the arrest warrants and notifying the accused of the possibility of appearing at trial by video-conference.
The Trial Chamber decided that the four accused should be formally notified of their rights to attend the trial.
When the Trial Chamber has the responses from the Lebanese authorities it will then decide whether it should invite Lebanese officials to provide additional information.
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