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Hariri trial defence lawyers sworn in
THE HAGUE Eight lawyers representing the four Hezbollah members due to be tried in absentia for the 2005 murder of former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri have been sworn in, a UN-backed tribunal said Wednesday.All the defence counsel signed a declaration that they will exercise their duties with integrity and diligence, honourably, freely, expeditiously and conscientiously, Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) said in a statement. The Hague-based STL announced early this month that Salim Ayyash, Mustafa Badreddine, Hussein Anaissi and Assad Sabra will be tried in absentia for the massive February 14, 2005, car bombing in Beirut that killed Hariri and 22 others, including a suicide bomber. The STL sent arrest warrants for Ayyash and the three others to Lebanese authorities in June, and Interpol issued a red notice in July. But the authorities in Lebanon, where the government is dominated by the Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah militant group, have failed to arrest them.
Created by a 2007 United Nations Security Council resolution at Lebanons request, the STL opened its doors in 2009 and is tasked with trying those suspected of responsibility for Hariris assassination. Hezbollah has denied involvement. Posted by: Steve White 2012-02-16 |
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