STL Hosts French Minister of Justice

French Minister of Justice Christiane Taubira paid a courtesy visit to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon on Monday, as part of her one-day visit to the Netherlands that included discussions with Dutch officials.

She was accompanied by the French Ambassador to the Netherlands, Laurent Pic, and a delegation from the Ministry of Justice, the STL said in a statement.

STL President Judge Ivana Hrdličková, Prosecutor Norman Farrell, the Head of the Defense Office François Roux, and Deputy Registrar Amelie Zinzius, welcomed the minister and her delegation.

During her visit, the minister focused on “the applicable law at the STL, the use of French as an official Tribunal language, and the benefits of the STL for the Lebanese people,” the STL said.

On behalf of the STL, Judge Hrdličková expressed her “deep gratitude to Minister of Justice Taubira for France’s continued support.”

Hrdličková further highlighted “the benefits to the international community of the STL’s experience, incorporating the best practices of diverse legal traditions to ensure the highest standards of criminal justice."

The minister and the delegation then toured the courtroom and were greeted by the STL staff members at the end of the visit.

Set up in 2007, the court is the only international ad hoc tribunal with the jurisdiction to try an act of terror.

It is specifically trying suspects charged with the murder of former premier Rafik Hariri, killed with 22 others in a massive suicide car bombing on the Beirut waterfront on February 14, 2005.

Five suspected members of Hizbullah have been indicted by the court.

Their trial in absentia opened in January 2014, but despite international warrants for their arrest, the five are yet to appear in court.

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has dismissed the court as an American-Israeli scheme against his party, vowing that the accused will never be found.