STL Dismisses Charges against Al-Jadeed over Jurisdiction, Khayat's Trial to Continue
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon ruled on Thursday that trying al-Jadeed television over contempt does not fall into its jurisdiction, dismissing hence the charges filed against the TV network.
“The tribunal does not have the jurisdiction to look into the charges issued against al-Jadeed TV,” STL Contempt Judge Nicola Lettieri announced during an STL session in The Hague.
“Rule 60 bis applies to natural persons only and not corporate entities,” he explained, adding that the “preferable way to interpret Rule 60 bis is to limit the Tribunal’s jurisdiction to natural persons.”
Judge Lettieri also considered that “any ambiguities in the interpretation of the Rules should be resolved in favor of the accused.”
Accordingly, the Amicus Curiae Prosecutor is now ordered to submit an amended order in lieu of an indictment that removes all references to al-Jadeed, the STL said.
But Lettieri noted that the STL accepted the preliminary motions in the al-Jadeed case.
Karim Khan, who is Counsel for New TV S.A.L and Khayat, pledged following the ruling to respect the law and remarked that the judge is the person in charge of ruling in this case.
“Any reference against al-Jadeed in these charges will be dropped,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, the trial of al-Jadeed journalist Karma al-Khayat is still continuing, STL spokesman Martin Youssef told LBCI television.
Khayat and al-Akhbar daily's editor-in-chief Ibrahim al-Amin and their media organizations New TV S.A.L. and Akhbar Beirut S.A.L. had been charged with contempt by the tribunal after they disclosed details of alleged STL witnesses.
The initial hearing in the contempt case was held on May 13 at the STL's headquarters in The Hague, amid the absence of al-Amin who later appeared before the court via video conference.
Al-Jadeed TV Director General Dimitry Khodr and Karma al-Khayat, the deputy head of news at the station, entered pleas of not guilty during that hearing.
Khan indicated also on May 13 that al-Jadeed's Defense will challenge the jurisdiction with respect to the charges against the corporation.
The STL has indicted five Hizbullah members for involvement in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's Feb. 2005 assassination.
Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah dismissed the court as a U.S.-Israeli scheme against his group and vowed that the accused will never be found.
S.D.B.
Y.R.
almost 10 years
Better than hanging them without trial (Iran or KSA style) .... don't you agree?
almost 10 years
Yes Roar, i'm pretty sure the transparent, public and fair trials of Syria or Iran are the example to follow.
Now go murder someone and hide in Dahyé ...
almost 10 years
Whatever. The Farce of International Proportions must go on, and on, and on, and on, and... You get the idea. I cannot wait for a Farce of International Proportions to try all those (in the West and filthy rich Gulf region dumps of lunaticy) who fund, train and equip the International Association of Killers of al-Qaeda wa akhawatiha
almost 10 years
Because the Lebanese Justice system is exemplary.
almost 10 years
They don't have jurisdiction over the network, but this reporter is still responsible for publishing witnesses' names. Southern, these journalists are risking the lives of these people whether they're real or fake witnesses. Do you understand that? And you're still forgetting about the actual murder of Hariri. Someone blew him up, and intelligence officers leading the investigation were blown up as well, remember that? If you say Fatah al-Islam blew up Hariri, then who blew up Eid and Hassan? Couldn't have been Fatah al-Islam, as they're all in Roumieh prison.
almost 10 years
This tribunal was made because the Lebanese judicial system is corrupt. The government agreed to have an international court take over, and Hezbollah didn't have a problem with the tribunal until they were implicated in it.
almost 10 years
I said Fatah al-Islam because that's what Aoun said. I don't know nor do I care what conspiracy theory you have that would exonerate Hezbollah.
The STL is proving it's professionalism in every aspect of the trial.