STL condemns the publishing of witnesses' list

      
In a press release issued on April 11, 2013, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the latest attempt to interfere with the proper administration of justice by publishing a list of alleged witnesses which potentially endangers the lives of Lebanese citizens.                     

The list of persons that could be placed at risk by this "irresponsible" website is not, in fact, an accurate reflection of official court records, the STL's statement added.                  

The Tribunal said that it will not comment on the Prosecution’s witness list as submitted in the Pre-Trial Brief as it is currently confidential by a judicial order.         

The statement slammed "those behind the website purporting to unveil the "truth”, saying that they gravely breached journalistic ethics and employ "questionable methods" such as Internet hacking.               

Any attempt to knowingly and willfully interfere with the judicial process, including disclosure of confidential material or threatening, intimidating, or otherwise interfering with potential witnesses, "is taken very seriously by the four organs of the Tribunal", the STL said.               

The statement asserted that the Tribunal can confirm that it has requested the assistance of Lebanese authorities and others in this matter so that appropriate measures may be taken if necessary.             

"While there are measures currently being undertaken by the Tribunal in response to the website that purports to name alleged witnesses, discussing those measures in public could hinder our efforts", the statement said.                      

Lebanese online newspaper Al-Mustaqbal was hacked on Tuesday.                

The homepage of the newspaper showed names and pictures of the so called secret witnesses of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon instead of the usual news articles.                            

Prior to the cyber attack, Lebanese people received text messages on their cellular phones which included the names of the STL's secret witnesses and the website of Al-Mustaqbal newspaper.                    

The administration of the newspaper declared that it will restore the website after providing the necessary security measures.