STL Defense attorneys face tough task of representing clients with no contact

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon announced on Thursday that the Head of STL Defense Office Francois Roux appointed permanent attorneys for the four indicted in the assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri and his companions.

The STL said that following the decision of the first instance chamber to try the accused in absentia, the Pre-trial Judge asked for the councils to be appointed.

In a statement, the Hague-based Court said that Roux appointed the eight councils he had previously named alternate attorneys, adding that the attorneys are highly qualified, experienced and completely independent.

 “They enjoy the freedom to choose the strategy they judge appropriate to defend the accused’s rights”, the statement said.

The STL stressed that the prosecutor general will have to brief the attorneys on supporting materials for the indictment within 30 working days.

The U.N.-backed tribunal stressed that defense attorneys face the tough task of representing and defending their clients without communicating with them.