STL: Fransen’s Deadline for Challenging Jurisdiction Milestone Towards Trial

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon said Wednesday that the decision of pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen to set a deadline for challenging the court’s jurisdiction is another milestone towards trial in the case of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s assassination.

Four Hizbullah members - Salim Ayyash, Mustafa Badreddine, Hussein Oneissi and Assad Sabra – have been indicted by the STL in Hariri’s Feb. 2005 killing.

The tribunal said on its twitter feed: “Pre-Trial Judge's decision to set a deadline for challenging STL jurisdiction is another milestone towards trial in the Ayyash et al case.”

The “defense counsel can challenge the tribunal's legitimacy in court,” it said.

Fransen has decided that any preliminary motions challenging the tribunal's jurisdiction must be filed by May 4.

“All guarantees must be provided for fair trial and protection of the rights of the accused,” the STL said on twitter, adding: “It is only through fair and expeditious proceedings that the truth behind the 14 Feb 2005 attack will be established.”

The indictment against the four members of Hizbullah listed charges of conspiracy to commit a terrorist act and homicide.

The trial chamber has decided to try the suspects in absentia after Lebanese authorities failed to arrest them.

“The STL continues to work hard to ensure that the trial begins swiftly,” the tribunal tweeted.