STL asks for \'criminal association\' definition

The pre-trial judge of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) has requested the Appeals Chamber to define the crime of “criminal association” following the prosecution’s recent request to amend the indictment. On February 8, the prosecution requested to amend the indictment in a confidential filing. The prosecution is seeking to add a new count to the indictment of “criminal association”, which is an offence under the Lebanese Penal Code (article 335). Under the Tribunal’s rules, the pre-trial judge may ask the Appeals Chamber to deal with such preliminary questions. This happened last year when the Appeals Chamber was asked to define terrorism and conspiracy, amongst other crimes. At that time, the Appeals Chamber was not called on to define the crime of “criminal association”. The pre-trial judge will rely on the Appeals Chamber’s definition in his review of the prosecution’s request to amend the indictment. He can confirm or reject the proposed amendments completely or in part.