Pre-Trial Judge Approves STL Indictment

Special Tribunal for Lebanon Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen confirmed on June 28 an indictment relating to the 2005 assassination of Rafik Hariri and others, STL's press office announced in a statement.

"The indictment and accompanying arrest warrant(s) were transmitted to the Lebanese authorities on 30 June, 2011," the press office noted.

"This announcement follows a declaration by the Lebanese authorities that they have received a confirmed indictment," the office said, noting that "the confirmation of the indictment means that Fransen is satisfied that there is prima facie evidence for this case to proceed to trial."

Article 73 of the STL rules and procedures stipulates that the announcement of the contents of the indictment would be revealed to the public after the pre-trial judge approves it in line with article 74.

Article 74 stipulates that under extraordinary circumstances, and based on the prosecution or defense’s request, the pre-trial judge can refrain from revealing the indictment out of the interest of justice.

The prosecution can however reveal the indictment or parts of it to the concerned authorities if it serves the investigation.