The Special Tribunal for
Lebanon (STL) Trial Chamber confirmed the STL’s jurisdiction to try those
accused of committing the February 14, 2005 assassination of former Prime
Minister Rafiq Hariri and connected cases, in a decision published on Monday.
“The Trial Chamber
dismissed all the motions of the Defense Counsel, who argued that the Tribunal
was set up illegally, violates Lebanese sovereignty, has selective jurisdiction
and does not guarantee the accused a right to fair trial,” a statement
published on the STL’s website said.
The Trial Chamber's
decision is subject to an appeal, it also said, adding: “The challenge to the
Tribunal's jurisdiction is a preliminary motion that must be dealt with before
trial begins.”
STL Pre-Trial Judge Daniel
Fransen recently set March 25, 2013 as the tentative date for the start of
trial.
The Netherlands-based court
has indicted four Hezbollah operatives in connection with the 2005 murder of
Hariri, but the suspects have not surrendered to the court.
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