Thursday, January 16, 2014

Minister welcomes start of the first trial at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon

Jan 16 2013       
Minister for the Middle East Hugh Robertson supports work of Lebanon's Special Tribunal.
Special Tribunal for Lebanon

Commenting on today's launch of the Special Tribunal into the death of former Lebanese PM Hariri, Foreign Office Minister, Hugh Robertson, said:

I welcome the beginning of this important trial. I hope it will help achieve justice for the families of Rafik Hariri, the other victims and for the Lebanese people.

The UK strongly supports the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. I was pleased to announce an additional £1million of UK funding in December, bringing our total contribution to £5.5million since 2009. I was also pleased to see Lebanon fulfil its obligation by making its annual financial contribution to the Tribunal. We continue to call for the arrest of those indicted by the Tribunal. The UK stands firmly behind Lebanese and international efforts to end the culture of impunity.

Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson (Paris, January 16, 2014)

Lebanon – Opening of the trial at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon
France welcomes the opening today of the trial at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. The tribunal will try the individuals charged with having perpetrated the attack on February 14, 2005, which killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, along with 22 others, and injured many more.
This trial, which has been highly anticipated, notably by the families of the victims as well as the international community, marks a decisive step forward in the fight against impunity for terrorist acts.
France is keen to ensure that the tribunal, established by UNSCR 1757, will be able to complete its mission independently and in an atmosphere of calm.
In the current context of heightened security and following the attacks of the last few months, France supports the Lebanese authorities in their determination to combat all forms of terrorism and their commitment to fighting impunity.

Ayyash et al. case opens at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon

Leidschendam, 16 January 2014 – The trial in the case The Prosecutor v. Ayyash et al. started today before the Special Tribunal for Lebanon with opening statements by the Prosecutor.

The prosecution's overview of this complex case will be followed by statements from the Legal Representatives of the Victims participating in the proceedings, as well as the Defence counsel for Mr. Badreddine and Mr. Oneissi.

The Ayyash et al. case relates to the 14 February 2005 attack which killed 22 individuals, including the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, and injured 226 others. The Accused Salim Jamil Ayyash, Mustafa Amine Badreddine, Hussein Hassan Oneissi and Assad Hassan Sabra, are still at large. The proceedings against them are being held in absentia.

The trial will allow the Lebanese people to see evidence being presented and challenged, as well as witnesses testifying and being cross-examined in public.

You can follow the trial proceedings on the STL website.
 
More information on the case can be found in the case information sheets.
 
Stock shots of the STL building and the STL courtroom can be downloaded here.
 
Visit our flickr page to download photographs of the STL.