Youssef Says STL Defense, Prosecution to Intensify Meetings

Special Tribunal for Lebanon spokesman Marten Youssef said that several sessions will be held in June between the prosecution and the defense offices, reported An Nahar on Tuesday.

In the past five months the tribunal witnessed excessive activity, Youssef told the daily.

He pointed out that the meetings between the prosecution and the defense offices will intensify in June and the upcoming months.

Youssef stressed that before the trial kicks off the parties will file several material and motions to the chambers in order to pave way for the tribunal to take its right course.

This way everything would be ready and organized, he stated.

He expressed a belief that the data will be examined during the June 13 hearing aimed at challenging the STL’s legality and jurisdiction.

The hearing will enable the Defense Office to challenge the STL’s legality and jurisdiction.

“The hearing is a milestone in the case of the 14 February 2005 attack,” the tribunal said via twitter on Monday.

According to An Nahar, the head of the Defense Office Francois Roux arrived in Beirut on Monday.

The Trial Chamber ruled in February that the four accused would be tried in their 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.

Hizbullah members Salim Ayyash, Mustafa Badreddine, Hussein Oneissi and Assad Sabra are wanted for the February 2005 suicide car bomb attack in Beirut that killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 22 others, including the suicide bomber.