Trial Chamber continues looking into STL’s jurisdiction

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) resumed Thursday its public hearing to hear arguments from the Prosecution, the defense counsel and the legal representatives of victims, on the jurisdiction of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) and the legality of its creation.     

For the second day in a row, the defense counsel for the four accused in the case relating to the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri continued challenging the jurisdiction and the legality of the STL.    

For an hour and a half, the defense tried to prove its arguments using evidence, however not enough to convince the Trial Chamber whose members tried repeatedly to understand the other party’s point of view before the break after which the session was resumed and the prosecutor answered questions.

Accordingly, the Chamber will look into the arguments and notes of both parties and will decide whether it has the prerogative and jurisdiction to look into this case.      

If the Chamber decides that the STL has no prerogative to look into the crimes that fall within its jurisdiction, it will no longer be able to operate as an institution.