organization:special tribunal for lebanon

Je me demandais combien de temps ça allait prendre pour que les propagandistes éclairés des « sunnites humiliés » utilisent l’arrestation de l’escroc Assir pour faire de l’agitation sectaire contre le Hezbollah :
▻http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2015/08/17/Ahmad-al-Assir-and-the-absence-of-justice-in-Lebanon.html

It’s ironic to celebrate the arrest of fugitive radical preacher Ahmad al-Assir in Lebanon when at least three men wanted by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon are hanging out in Beirut’s southern suburb sipping coffee. Lebanese authorities on Saturday arrested Assir on charges of incitement and perverting the course of justice, however they have not arrested the three men wanted for the murder of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.

Assir deserves to be arrested because of his extremism, incitement to violence and attempts to challenge the state; however the Lebanese justice system is now mocked by the world as authorities ignore to arrest those charged with a worse crime, the murder of Hariri, in order to avoid upsetting Hezbollah.

The majority of Sunnis don’t care about much about Assir’s detention; however double standards and this clear injustice against them has angered them.

Remarque que ce dernier paragraphe constitue un nouvel exemple de pseudo-raisonnement confessionnaliste : tu expliques que « la majorité des sunnites » s’en foutent de son arrestation (comment tu le sais on s’en cogne), mais que tout de même son arrestation constitue « une claire injustice à leur encontre »… donc ils s’en foutent mais tu insistes pour leur dire qu’« en tant que sunnites » ils subissent une injustice et que donc ils sont en colère. C’est typiquement grâce à ce genre de tournures que le confessionnalisme, #ça_marche_à_tous_les_coups…

(Bientôt ce même thème du « double standard » en version Rifi et Saniora, tu vas voir, ça va être plaisant.)

Computer models of Hariri crime scene relied on pictures -
▻http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Feb-28/289087-computer-models-of-hariri-crime-scene-relied-on-pictures.ashx

BEIRUT: The expert engineers who used computer models to determine that an above-ground bomb was responsible for the explosion which killed Rafik Hariri and 21 others did not have access to basic information about nearby buildings, it was revealed Friday at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

Bibiana Luccioni, one of two Argentine experts who worked on the case, said that computer models of the crime scene had been recreated from photos. Recreating the damage done to nearby buildings was crucial to determining the nature of the bomb, she testified.

During cross-examination, Luccioni said that she did not know exactly what type of concrete was used to construct the buildings affected by the blast, what type of steel rebar was used to reinforce the structures and did not have access to relevant blueprints.

Still, Luccioni said that she has full confidence in the computer models she created with colleague Daniel Ambrosini which determined only an above-ground bomb could have caused the damage seen in the wake of the explosion. Moreover, different kinds of steel and concrete have effectively the same properties, she said.

The defense, representing five Hezbollah members suspected of plotting the explosion, has sought to cast doubt on the experts’ conclusion that an above ground was responsible for the blast.

STL to summon Hezbollah lawmaker: report
▻http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Dec-27/282361-stl-to-summon-hezbollah-lawmaker-report.ashx

The prosecutor at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon intends to summon a Hezbollah lawmaker over a call between his phone and that of a suspect, As-Safir reported Saturday, adding that a sixth suspect could be indicted in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

The prosecutor is seeking to summon the unnamed MP from the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc “as a suspect or to hear his testimony given that there was a call between his cellphone and a number used by one of the suspects who comprised the network on the crime scene and outside,” the local daily said.

Special Tribunal for Lebanon issues another controversial decision
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/special-tribunal-lebanon-issues-another-controversial-decision

Old habits die hard and the STL was unable to change its old ways or deviate from the path that the rulers of the United Nations Security Council designed for it. An appeals panel issued a decision so dangerous that it prompted one of the members of the panel, Judge Akoum, to dissent (then sign it). But he did register his reservations, warning: “The present proceedings are already delicate. To this we now add a decision that potentially permits contempt charges to be brought against political parties, Lebanese institutions, associations or any other actors that are recognized as legal persons. In my view, there is no reason to do so.”

Akoum’s statement and the panel’s decision yesterday are in relation to the prosecution of Al-Akhbar newspaper and Al-Jadeed TV as well as the two colleagues, Ibrahim al-Amin and Karma al-Khayat on charges of contempt of court. The charges were brought against them for publishing information about secret witnesses on whose testimonies the prosecution relied to issue indictments.

#STL names panel to investigate contempt judge for bias
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/stl-names-panel-investigate-contempt-judge-bias

The Special Tribunal for #Lebanon (STL) has appointed a three-judge panel to investigate contempt judge Nicola Lettieri for bias after #al-Akhbar editor-in-chief Ibrahim al-Amin complained that he was taking sides in a case against him and the newspaper. Amin, who has been charged along with Al-Akhbar by the The Hague-based court with contempt and obstruction of justice for publishing the names of 32 prosecution witnesses in January 2013, filed a submission last month asking that Lettieri be dismissed. read more

#Al-Jadeed #STL #STLP

#STL appoints lawyer to defend #al-Akhbar, Ibrahim al-Amin
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/stl-appoints-lawyer-defend-al-akhbar-ibrahim-al-amin

The defense office for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) has named a lawyer to defend Al-Akhbar and its editor-in-chief Ibrahim al-Amin who have been charged with obstruction of justice and contempt. Antonios Abou Kasm, a professor of international law at Lebanese University, has been appointed to defend the paper and Amin in a case related to the publication of a secret witness list in January 2013. read more

#Al-Jadeed

#STL prosecution witness plays coy with the defense
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/stl-prosecution-witness-plays-coy-defense

A former Lebanese military investigator who was involved in a probe of the 2005 assassination of ex premier Rafik Hariri offered little information when cross examined by a defense lawyer in court Tuesday. Speaking via video link from Beirut before #The_Hague-based Special Tribunal for #Lebanon (STL) with his picture and audio scrambled to conceal his identity, the witness claimed having a hazy recollection of simply no knowledge of events related to the Beirut blast that killed Hariri and 21 others. read more

#STL

Defense lawyer cautions #Hariri tribunal against «show trial»
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/defense-lawyer-cautions-hariri-tribunal-against-show-trial

A lawyer for one of five men accused over the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri on Thursday warned the court against hosting a “show trial” by rushing proceedings before the defense counsel was allowed adequate time to prepare. Mohammed Aouini, chief defense lawyer for Hassan Merhi, complained that prosecutors in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) had nine years to gather evidence, while his team was only assembled earlier this year and has not yet received reports from its two appointed experts to analyze data. read more

#show_trial #STL #The_Hague

#STL resumes #Hariri murder trial
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/stl-resumes-hariri-murder-trial

The prosecution in an international tribunal set up to investigate the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri was to deliver its opening statement Wednesday against a man it suspects of involvement in the killing. The Hague-based Special Tribunal for #Lebanon (STL) resumed its trial Wednesday after a four month hiatus to allow the defense team of Hassan Merhi time to prepare after his case was merged with that of four other suspects indicted in the murder. read more

#STL

#STL to appoint defense counsel to #al-Akhbar despite chief’s objections
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/stl-appoint-defense-counsel-al-akhbar-despite-chiefs-refusal

An international court that has charged Al-Akhbar and its editor-in-chief #Ibrahim_al-Amin with contempt and obstruction of justice over the publication of a secret witness list will appoint a counsel to defend the accused against Amin’s wishes. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), ostensibly set up to investigate the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, said in a statement Thursday that Contempt Judge Nicola Lettieri decided to go ahead with the decision despite Amin vowing to boycott the trial. read more

#STL

The fig leaf and the justice of the strong
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/fig-leaf-and-justice-strong

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Al-Akhbar Editor-in-Chief #Ibrahim_al-Amin speaks to the #STL via videolink. (Photo: Marwan Tahtah) #al-Akhbar Editor-in-Chief Ibrahim al-Amin speaks to the #STL via videolink. (Photo: Marwan Tahtah)

After all the scandals, mistakes, resignations, leaks, suspicions and laws passed in accordance with the political winds, after compromising civil peace and manipulating the stability of the region, after wasting all this time, energy and money, the Special Tribunal for #Lebanon (STL) finally found a real, tangible, “defendant” in flesh and blood who appeared before it via videolink. Alas, it did not know how to keep him.

Pierre Abisaab

read (...)

#Opinion #Al-Jadeed_TV #Articles #Judge_Nicola_Lettieri #Special_Tribunal_for_Lebanon

#al-Akhbar chief: The #STL refused to clarify the charges against us
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/al-akhbar-chief-stl-refused-clarify-charges-against-us

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/dd885ed4ea20bc904f827908278c496a.jpg

Ibrahim al-Amin (right) gives a press conference regarding his decision to boycott the Special Tribunal for Lebanon on May 29, 2014. (Photo: Al-Akhbar) #Ibrahim_al-Amin (right) gives a press conference regarding his decision to boycott the Special Tribunal for Lebanon on May 29, 2014. (Photo: Al-Akhbar)

Al-Akhbar’s editor-in-chief Ibrahim al-Amin criticized the Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s (STL) contempt judge for refusing to clarify the charges brought against him and the newspaper at a press conference Thursday following Amin’s first hearing before the international court. “We realized that there was a lot of ambiguity regarding the charges against me and in the trial procedures,” Amin said. "We demanded (...)

#STLP

Al-Akhbar concerned with security conditions, requirements for fair trial
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/al-akhbar-concerned-security-conditions-requirements-fair-trial

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/007714-01-08.jpg

Prosecutor Norman Farrell of Canada takes notes on the first day of the delayed trial into the murder of former Lebanese Lebanese premier Rafiq Haririo at the Special Tribunal for #Lebanon in The Hague on January 16, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Toussaint Kluiters) Prosecutor Norman Farrell of Canada takes notes on the first day of the delayed trial into the murder of former Lebanese Lebanese premier Rafiq Haririo at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in The Hague on January 16, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Toussaint Kluiters)

Dear Judge #Nicola_Lettieri, I am writing to you in my personal capacity and in my capacity as Chairman of Al-Akhbar #Beirut S.A.L..

#Ibrahim_al-Amin

read (...)

#Opinion #Al_Akhbar #Articles #Rafik_Hariri #STL

#Lebanese_University Study: Special Tribunal for #Lebanon (STL) has no authority over the Lebanese
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanese-university-study-special-tribunal-lebanon-stl-has-no-aut

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/tahtah%20%281%29.jpg

STL officials at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut. (Photo: Marwan Tahtah) #STL officials at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut. (Photo: Marwan Tahtah)

In a legal study conducted with the aim of defending the “existence of the Lebanese justice system as a whole,” the Faculty of Law and Political and Administrative Sciences concluded that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) has no authority over the Lebanese population. The study judged that any body must first be established by law to acquire a judicial capacity; otherwise, it would not have the power to issue rulings restricting freedoms. The study highlighted irregularities in the establishment and funding of the STL, calling on parliament to pass laws regulating the work of (...)

#Culture_&_Society #Articles #Rafik_Hariri #united_nations

Is the Special Tribunal for #Lebanon covering up the bribery of witnesses?
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/special-tribunal-lebanon-covering-bribery-witnesses

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/AFP%20%281%29.jpg

(L-R) Judges Walid Akoum, Janet Nosworthy, David Re, Micheline Braidy and Nicola Lettier preside over the first hearing in the trial of four people accused of murdering former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in The Hague on January 16, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Toussaint Kluiters) (L-R) Judges Walid Akoum, Janet Nosworthy, David Re, Micheline Braidy and Nicola Lettier preside over the first hearing in the trial of four people accused of murdering former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in The Hague on January 16, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Toussaint Kluiters)

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) does not miss an opportunity to undermine its credibility and damage its (...)

#Politics #Articles #Hussein_Oneissi #Rafik_Hariri #STL

The battle for freedom: Al-Akhbar vs. the authorities
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/battle-freedom-al-akhbar-vs-authorities

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Al-Akhbar Editor-in-Chief Ibrahim al-Amin in front of a poster calling for solidarity amongst the Lebanese press to confront the #STL. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi) Al-Akhbar Editor-in-Chief Ibrahim al-Amin in front of a poster calling for solidarity amongst the Lebanese press to confront the #STL. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi)

#Karma_Khayat has said lucidly and clearly everything that the Special Tribunal for #Lebanon (STL) needed to hear. What the STL will choose to listen to instead will serve to clarify the true nature of the STL’s work. But let’s go back to our country, where the main problem lies – where we need to restate things, quite frankly and clearly, and where the STL’s work has its own sordid story. (...)

#Opinion #Articles #Ashraf_Rifi #Chakib_Cortbawi #Ibrahim_Najjar #united_nations

The surveillance state: No privacy for the Lebanese
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/surveillance-state-no-privacy-lebanese

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/haitham-%282%29.jpg

Two men at work at #Lebanon's main surveillance center. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi) Two men at work at Lebanon’s main surveillance center. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi)

One of the accomplishments of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) was institutionalizing the violation of the Lebanese people’s privacy. A futile political debate with security-related implications over so-called “telecommunications data” has taken center stage in Lebanon. However, the point of departure should be the fact that today, the Lebanese and their right to privacy has been completely violated by their security services, in breach of the constitution and the law.

Mohamed Nazzal

read (...)

#Culture_&_Society #Articles #Boutros_Harb #Charbel_Nahas #Court_of_Audits #France #information_branch #ISF #Najib_Mikati #Nicolas_Sehnaoui #Shukri_Sader #State_Shura_Council #STL #Telecom_Data

Al-Akhbar will not appear before the tribunal
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/al-akhbar-will-not-appear-tribunal

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/stl-afp-toussai.jpg

The building housing the Special Tribunal for #Lebanon at the Hague. (Photo: AFP) The building housing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon at the Hague. (Photo: AFP)

Let’s return to the beginning: A political assassination took place in Lebanon. Arab and international parties, in cooperation with their agents in Lebanon, decided to issue international resolutions that stipulated establishing a Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL). Since it snuck in during the darkness of the night, in violation of the Lebanese constitution and even international law, the criminals themselves obtained a resolution from the United Nations Security Council, under Chapter 7, to establish a mandate authority to impose its power on all Lebanese (...)

#Opinion #Articles #Rafik_Hariri #resistance #STL

Première audition aujourd’hui du TSL à l’encontre du Akhbar et de Jadeed TV. Ibrahim al-Amine ne participe pas.

Diffusion en direct (en anglais) sur le site officiel du #TSL :
▻http://www.stl-tsl.org/fr/Streaming/watch-the-hearing
(avec versions en anglais, en français et en arabe)

Diffusion en direct avec traduction simultanée en arabe sur Al Jadeed :
▻http://www.aljadeed.tv/livetv.html?Id=1007

La dépêche de ce matin :
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/stl-begin-hearing-al-jadeed-al-akhbar-contempt-cases

An international court set up to investigate the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri opened hearings Tuesday in cases against the editors of Al-Jadeed TV and Al-Akhbar newspaper over charges related to the publication of witness names.

The Hague-based Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) last month announced that it had summoned Al-Akhbar’s editor-in-chief Ibrahim al-Amin and Al-Jadeed’s deputy director Karma Khayat for publishing a list of the prosecution’s witnesses.

According to the charges, Amin and Khayat “knowingly and willfully interfer[ed] with the administration of justice by broadcasting and/or publishing information on purported confidential witnesses.”

The court set May 13 as a date for the two to appear before it. Khayat traveled with her legal team to The Hague to attend the hearing.

Amin chose not to participate in Tuesday’s session after the STL failed to respond to the paper’s request to postpone the session.

#STLP

#STL to begin hearing in #Al-Jadeed, #al-Akhbar “contempt” cases
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/stl-begin-hearing-al-jadeed-al-akhbar-contempt-cases

An international court set up to investigate the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was to begin proceedings Tuesday against the editors of Al-Jadeed TV and Al-Akhbar newspaper over charges related to the publication of witness names. The Hague-based Special Tribunal for #Lebanon (STL) last month announced that it had summoned Al-Akhbar’s editor-in-chief Ibrahim al-Amin and Al-Jadeed’s deputy director Karma Khayat for publishing a list of the prosecution’s witnesses. read more

#Top_News

Through our solidarity, we will confront the #STL
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/through-our-solidarity-we-will-confront-stl

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(Photo: Al-Akhbar) (Photo: Al-Akhbar)

None of us need an explanation about the nature of the political and media divide on the Special Tribunal for #Lebanon (STL). The split is certainly not professional and highly politicized. The split began with the decision to establish the tribunal and is closely linked to its process and actions. This division appears clearly in the #STL's proceedings and its decision to indict Al-Akhbar and Al-Jadeed for contempt of the court.

Ibrahim al-Amin

read (...)

#Opinion #Articles #Court_of_Publications

Soutien de Pierre Daher (patron de LBCi) au Akhbar et à New TV. L’article cite également Najat Charafeddine de Future News. Plus étonnant, selon l’Orient-Le Jour, le président de la République Michel Sleiman a, lui, apporté son soutien à Al Jadeed TV (concernant Al Akhbar, Sleiman est certainement moins fana de la notion de « liberté d’expression). À ma connaissance, cependant, aucun média occidental n’a évoqué l’affaire.
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/journalists-denounce-stl-charges-against-al-akhbar-al-jadeed

“It’s a shame not all media are participating in this event,” Pierre al-Daher, CEO of LBCI Television, said.

[…]

“At the end of the day we are all reporters and we all stand in solidarity with one another,” Najat Charafeddine, from Future TV, told Al-Jadeed.

Dima Sadek, anchorwomen with LBCI, said it was ridiculous that the STL could threaten Lebanese journalists for merely publishing information from an inside source at the court.

Liban : Sleiman appelle le PDG d’al-Jadeed pour exprimer son engagement en faveur de la liberté de la presse
▻http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/864644/liban-sleiman-appelle-le-pdg-dal-jadeed-pour-exprimer-son-engagement-

Le président libanais Michel Sleiman a appelé le directeur général de la chaîne de télévision al-Jadeed, Tahsine al-Khayat, exprimant son engagement en faveur de la liberté de la presse. M. Sleiman a également affirmé qu’il s’oppose à toute atteinte contre les médias. Cet appel intervient au lendemain de la décision du Tribunal spécial pour le Liban (TSL) qui a ordonné la comparution, le 13 mai prochain, des journalistes libanais Ibrahim el-Amine (journal al-Akhbar) et Karma al-Khayat (chaîne TV al-Jadeed) pour outrage au tribunal et obstruction à la justice.

Note : selon Pierre Abi-Saab, Pierre Daher était chargé de la promotion de la liberté d’expression à l’association des médias libanais :
▻https://twitter.com/pierreabisaab/status/460729083287339008

#TSL

Demonstrators denounce #STL charges against #al-Akhbar chief
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/demonstrators-denounce-stl-charges-against-al-akhbar-chief

Demonstrators were gathering on Friday afternoon in Beirut in support of Al-Akhbar and its Editor-in-chief #Ibrahim_al-Amin, after the later was charged with two counts of obstruction of justice by the Special Tribunal for #Lebanon (STL). Protesters were meeting near the Ministry of Interior at 5:00 pm, a day after Amin and a journalist from Al-Jadeed news channel were charged “for the publication of names asserted to be those of alleged confidential witnesses in the Tribunal’s proceedings.” read more

#Top_News

We will not be silenced: the #STL is illegitimate
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/we-will-not-be-silenced-stl-illegitimate

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Lebanon has yet to try those who killed thousands of civilians during the Lebanese civil war. (Photo: Al-Akhbar) Al-Akhbar)" width="620" height="396" class="imagecache imagecache-4cols imagecache-default imagecache-4cols_default"/> #Lebanon has yet to try those who killed thousands of civilians during the Lebanese civil war. (Photo: Al-Akhbar)

What happened was expected, but it is not because of our ability to predict the actions of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) or because we have undercover agents that have penetrated it. What was warned about nine years ago continues to occur, and with growing intensity. It is only logical for the STL’s arbitrary measures to grow into direct repression of those who inquire about (...)

#Opinion #Al_Akhbar #Al_Jadeed #Articles #Hezbollah #Ibrahim_al_Amin #justice #Rafik_Hariri #united_nations

The #STL is invalid, and we will not be silenced
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/stl-invalid-and-we-will-not-be-silenced

http://english.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/4cols/leading_images/cover1.jpg

Lebanon has yet to try those who killed thousands of civilians during the Lebanese civil war. (Photo: Al-Akhbar) Al-Akhbar)" width="620" height="396" class="imagecache imagecache-4cols imagecache-default imagecache-4cols_default"/> #Lebanon has yet to try those who killed thousands of civilians during the Lebanese civil war. (Photo: Al-Akhbar)

What happened was expected, but it is not because of our ability to predict the actions of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) or because we have undercover agents that have penetrated it. What was warned about nine years ago continues to occur, and with growing intensity. It is only logical for the STL’s arbitrary measures to grow into direct repression of those who inquire about (...)

#Opinion #Al_Akhbar #Al_Jadeed #Articles #Hezbollah #Ibrahim_al_Amin #justice #Rafik_Hariri #united_nations