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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Hariri trial judges' identity kept secret |
| 2009-02-25 |
| The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), based in The Hague, will start the hearing in the assassination of Rafik Hariri and 22 of his companion next month, according to Suzan Khan, the spokeswoman of the court. The case is coming before the STL after almost 4 years of investigation. "All precautions have been taken into consideration to ensure fairness and transparency of the court proceedings, which will be run on a professional basis," she told Gulf News. In a telephone interview with her office in The Hague, Khan told Gulf News that the STL, which was established in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution 1757 of May 30, 2007, is composed of 11 judges, including four Lebanese. "The identities of the judges are still not revealed and they will be known on March 1, the day the court is scheduled to begin the proceedings, in order to ensure impartiality and independence of the court," she said. In addition, Khan said the STL was located outside Lebanon for the sake of justice and fairness, as well as for the security and administrative efficiency of the tribunal. The STL, she said will consist of four organs: The Chambers, the Prosecutor, the Registry and the Defence Office. Khan said a number of safeguards have been adopted by the court, including protection for the rights of the accused to present their views and concerns that deemed appropriate by the pre-trial judge or the Chamber. "An independent defence office will act to protect the rights of the defence, draw up the list of a possible defence counsel and provide support and assistance to defence counsel and persons who are entitled to legal assistance," she said. "The pre-trial judge is crucial to ensure the efficiency and expediency of the process of the trial. He or she will review and confirm indictments and may also issue arrest warrants, transfer requests and any other orders that are required for the conduct of the investigation and for the preparation of the trials," Khan said. "Once the pre-trial judge decides the validity of the case and approves the procedure, the case should be referred to the court. The prosecutor, Daniel Bellemare, who is currently the investigation commissioner, has been granted 60 days during which he should submit his request to the Lebanese government and any other government that is suspected to have links with the crime, to produce what the prosecutor feels is needed for the proceeding of the court, including suspects and documents in possession of these governments," she said. |
| Posted by:Fred |