REPORT: Al Akhbar journalist Ibrahim Al Amin withdraws from STL hearing session

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Journalist Ibrahim Mohamed Al Amin from Al Akhbar newspaper said on Thursday that he was appearing at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon against “his own free will”, adding that he does not recognize the tribunal since “it is an institution created by the United Nations Security Council.”

Al-Amin’s comments were made during a hearing session via the video-conference system from Beirut’s Monteverdi.

He also said before the STL that he is in no need of a lawyer and that he will represent himself.

He later withdrew from the session saying that he refuses to be subject to “oppression” by the court.

The initial appearances were originally scheduled for 13 May, but were postponed upon the request of Al-Amin, who asked for additional time to select legal counsel.

As stated by the Contempt Judge in the summons, the accused may decide either to come to the seat of the Tribunal or to make their initial appearance by video-conference, provided that counsel attends in person.

The hearings will be public, but the judge may decide to go into closed session if confidential matters need to be discussed.

Last month, 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.

Lebanese journalists have held gatherings and protests to voice solidarity with Ibrahim al-Amin and Karma Khayat.

They highlighted the need to uphold the principles of freedom in the media and condemned the decision of the STL to summon the mentioned journalists.

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.

To watch Raneem Bou Khzam's report, please click on the video above.