The Contempt Judge at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Nicola Lettieri, issued on Thursday a decision providing written reasons for the assignment of counsel in the case against Akhbar Beirut S.A.L. and Al-Akhbar newspaper editor-in-chief Ibrahim al-Amin.
The STL said in a statement that the initial appearances of Akhbar Beirut S.A.L. and Ibrahim Al Amin, which were originally slated for the 13th of May, were rescheduled to May 29 upon the Accused's request.
Journalist Al Amin, representing himself and Akhbar Beirut S.A.L., appeared via video-conference. Prior to entering a plea, the Accused read a statement to the court, and then left the courtroom, the tribunal said.
Judge Lettieri interpreted Al Amin's statement and his actions as a plea of not-guilty. Following consultations with the parties, the Contempt Judge ordered the Defence Office to appoint counsel for the Accused, the tribunal added.
The Contempt Judge says in his decision that Al Amin may still participate in these proceedings, be it in person or via video-conference, and appoint counsel of his own choosing to represent him if he so wishes.
In this case, the Judge concludes that he "would be ready to reconsider" his decision to order the Head of the Defence Office to appoint counsel on his behalf.
Two months ago, the STL subpoenaed Karma Mohamed Tahsin al Khayat from Al-Jadeed TV, as well as the station's parent company New TV S.A.L., to appear before the STL on two counts of Contempt and Obstruction of Justice.
Ibrahim Mohamed Al Amin from Al Akhbar, as well as the newspaper's parent company Akhbar Beirut S.A.L. have been summoned on one count of Contempt and Obstruction of Justice.
The accused are being charged under Rule 60 bis (A) of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence and all the charges relate to the Ayyash et al. case.
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon was set up by the United Nations at the Lebanese government's request to try the alleged perpetrators of the 2005 bombing in which former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 21 others were killed.
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