Trial Chanber hearing on STL

The Trial Chamber has scheduled a hearing for June 13, to hear arguments on the jurisdiction of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) and the legality of its creation. The defence counsel, representing the four accused - Salim Ayyash, Mustafa Badreddine, Hussein Oneissi and Assad Sabra - recently filed motions challenging the legality and the jurisdiction of the Tribunal. In their motions, the defence argued that the STL was established unlawfully, and applies justice selectively. It is common practice in international tribunals, for the defence to challenge the jurisdiction of the courts. The Prosecution has until June 6 to file a response to the defence motions. The landmark hearing will be another step towards trial in the case of Ayyash and his other co-defendants. The Trial Chamber, ruled in February that the four accused would be tried in absence. The STL is the only existing international tribunal that can hold trials in absentia, since its statute includes elements of both Lebanese and international law. Lawyers for the victims of the February 14, 2005 attack have been invited by the Trial Chamber to file observations on the challenges to the STL’s jurisdiction. The Tribunal’s registrar appointed legal representatives for the victims participating in proceedings last week.