STL Media Advisory - Pronouncement of the Judgment in the Ayyash et al. case on 7 August 2020

Leidschendam, 10 July 2020 – The Trial Chamber of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) issued a scheduling order today for the public pronouncement of the Judgment in the Ayyash et al. case (STL-11-01) in a public session on Friday 7 August 2020 at 11.00 AM (C.E.T).

In the filing issued today, the Judges stated that the Judgment will be delivered from the courtroom with partial virtual participation.

Accreditation is required for members of the media who wish to cover the Judgment hearing. The accreditation procedure will be communicated in due course.

Due to the COVID-19 and in line with the national guidelines in the Netherlands, a limited number of members of the media will be allowed into the public gallery and the STL's media centre.

STL Registrar appoints Legal Representatives of Victims in the Ayyash Case STL-18-10

Leidschendam, 16 June 2020 - The Registrar of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) Daryl Mundis has designated three counsel to represent the victims participating in the Ayyash case relating to three attacks against Mr Marwan Hamade on 1 October 2004, Mr Georges Hawi on 21 June 2005 and Mr Elias El-Murr, on 12 July 2005.

The STL Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen decided on 17 April 2020 to grant the status of Victim Participating in the Proceedings to 29 individuals. The Judge also decided to divide the participating victims into three groups, each related to one of the attacks in the Ayyash case, and ordered the Registrar to designate a legal representative for each group.

The Registrar has designated the following counsel as legal representatives:

Mr Nidal Jurdi, a Lebanese national admitted to the Tripoli Bar as Legal Representative for the participating victims in Group 1, pertaining to the attack against Mr Marwan Hamade;

Mr Antonios Abou Kasm, a Lebanese national admitted to the Beirut Bar as Legal Representative for the participating victims in Group 2, pertaining to the attack against Mr Georges Hawi;

Mr Adel Nassar, a Lebanese national admitted to the Beirut Bar as Lead Representative for the participating victims in Group 3, pertaining to the attack against Mr Elias El-Murr;

The three counsel have been selected on the basis of their relevant experience, skills and competence, including experience and expertise in relation to the rights of victims, international criminal law, and the Lebanese context. You can learn more about their background on the STL website.

These appointments were made by the Registrar in consultation with the Victims' Participation Unit (VPU). The Legal Representatives of Victims (LRVs) are chosen from the VPU's List of Counsel, upon a careful selection process that also takes into consideration the views and preferences of the participating victims.

The main role of the LRVs is to represent Victims Participating in the Proceedings before the Tribunal, presenting their views and concerns during the judicial process.

Victims of any of the three attacks in the Ayyash case, who have not yet applied to participate in the proceedings within the deadline set by the Pre-Trial Judge but intend to do so, should contact the VPU:

Telephone          +961 (0)45 38 150

WhatsApp           +31652028194

Email                    stl-victims@un.org

Judgment in the Ayyash et al. case

Given the prevailing circumstances regarding COVID-19, the STL Trial Chamber will specify the date of the public pronouncement of the Judgment in the Ayyash et al. case (STL-11-01) as soon as possible.

On 22 April, the Legal Representatives of Victims (LRV) sought clarification from the Trial Chamber regarding the date and manner of the public pronouncement of the Judgment.

On 5 March, the Trial Chamber had given notice that it will deliver its Judgment in the Ayyash et al. case in public session in mid-May 2020.

The Trial Chamber gives notice of scheduling the public pronouncement of the Judgment in the Ayyash et al. case

Leidschendam, 5 March 2020 –  The Trial Chamber of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) has given notice that it will deliver its Judgment in the Ayyash et al. case (STL-11-01) in public session in mid-May 2020.  

In the filing issued today, the Judges stated that they would specify the precise date of the public pronouncement of the Judgment as soon as possible.

Accreditation is required for members of the media who wish to cover the hearing at the seat of the Tribunal. Seating in the public gallery is not guaranteed; for this high-level event, permanently accredited journalists will also need to submit a request. 

The accreditation procedure for the Judgment hearing will be communicated in due course.

The Ayyash case (STL 18-10) to proceed in absentia

Leidschendam, 06 February 2020 - Trial Chamber II of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) issued a decision yesterday  to proceed with a trial in absentia against Salim Jamil Ayyash, accused in the attacks against Marwan Hamade, Georges Hawi and Elias El-Murr, which occurred in Lebanon on 1 October 2004, 21 June and 12 July 2005, respectively.

In reaching this decision, Trial Chamber II took into account oral and written submissions from the STL Prosecutor, Registrar and the Head of the Defence Office. It also examined numerous documents from the Lebanese authorities, which detail the steps they have taken to apprehend the Accused and inform Mr Ayyash about the proceedings initiated against him.

These efforts included multiple attempts by the Lebanese authorities to find the Accused at his last known residences, as well as other locations. Trial Chamber II also took into consideration the fact that the indictment and the identity of the accused received intense media coverage in Lebanon. In addition, Trial Chamber II considered it relevant that the Lebanese authorities have unsuccessfully been searching for him since 2011 in connection to his indictment for the attack of 14 February 2005 against former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and others.

Trial Chamber II concluded that all reasonable steps have been taken to secure the appearance of the accused and to notify him of the charges against him. It nevertheless emphasized the accused's right to a retrial should he appear before the Tribunal in the future. While the STL is the only international tribunal that can prosecute accused in their absence, it is a measure of last resort meant to ensure that those who flee from justice, cannot be found, have not been handed over, or have waived their right to be present, do not delay the course of justice.

With this decision, the case Prosecutor v. Ayyash (STL 18-10) proceeds to the Pre Trial Phase. For more information on trials in absentia and the upcoming steps, please click here.