New date for the start of trial in the contempt case against Akhbar and Mr Ibrahim Al Amin

Contempt Judge Nicola Lettieri rescheduled the trial start date in the STL–14-06 case to 24 February 2016.

The Judge ordered that the Parties make their opening statements and the Amicus Curiae Prosecutor present his case in chief from 24 to 26 February, and on 29 February and 1 March 2016, as needed.

The dates for the presentation of the Defence’s case, if any, will be determined as soon as practicable.

In a public decision issued on 18 December 2015, Judge Lettieri granted the Amicus’ leave to amend his lists of Witnesses and Exhibits.  He found “appropriate and necessary to order a postponement of the trial proceedings by four weeks in order to ensure that the Defence has sufficient time to prepare its case in light of these amendments”.

The trial in case STL-14-06 was initially scheduled to start on 28 January 2016.

Mr Ibrahim Mohamed Ali Al Amin and Akhbar Beirut S.A.L are each charged with one count of contempt and obstruction of justice under Rule 60 bis of the Tribunal's Rules of Procedure and Evidence. The initial appearances of the Accused were held on 29 May 2014.