Lebanon Hails Decision to Release Officers, Mourns Leb. Judiciary
Hussein Assi Readers Number : 67
29/04/2009 Four years of political and arbitrary detention finally saw end!
The four officers, detained by the Lebanese judiciary over the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri's case upon the recommendation of former UN investigator Detlev Mehlis based on the fabricated testimonies of false witnesses, were finally freed but, this time, by the international judiciary…
Shortly after the announcement, people and politicians took to the streets and the officers' homes spontaneously to express their satisfaction and joy. The officers' lawyers were quick to welcome the ruling by The Hague-based Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) saying the court's pre-trial judge and the prosecutor had shown objectivity and fairness in their decision.
"After 44 months, justice has been done and it should have been 43 months ago," Naji Bustany, counsel for the former head of the presidential guard Mustafa Hamdan and the former military intelligence chief Raymond Azar, said.
"This is the result I was waiting for a long time ago," Hajj's lawyer Issam Karam said in turn. "I followed the case from the onset and there is nothing in the file that implicates the generals."
The decision was also immediately hailed by the national opposition that announced the day "a day of joy for the Lebanese," regretting that such decision be made by the international justice not the Lebanese one.
In this context, Hezbollah issued a statement in which it hailed the international tribunal's decision to release the officers after a long arbitrary decision imposed unfairly by the March 14 authority without any charges. Hezbollah recalled that the detention of the four officers brushed aside all laws and legal procedures and caused a status of attenuation and politicization of one of the most important authorities responsible for the maintenance of life and law in the country which is the judicial authority.
Hezbollah statement said that the release of the four officers in the manner that it was should be considered as a significant juncture of reconsideration in the life of the homeland and its citizens. The Resistance party emphasized that the decision to release the officers constitutes a direct conviction of the Lebanese authority and confirms that the logic of revenge, retaliation and maliciousness does not achieve justice or bring truth. "It proves that what is always required, even in the darkest of circumstances, is foresight, honesty, transparency and a priority given to the logic of righteousness, fairness all the way through to justice," Hezbollah statement noted.
Hezbollah said that the comedy represented by the long detention of the four officers was a major scandal in the country's records, noting that it completely uncovers the sponsors of the logic of monopoly and revenge. "It's believed to be an intentional blinding and a deliberate misleading of the investigation that resulted in letting the real criminals to go away," the statement added.
Hezbollah concluded its statement by congratulating the four officers and their families for their release and stressing that the priority now should be to sue and prosecute the responsible of the years of misleading and procrastination that put the country on the verge of abyss.
For his part, member of the Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc MP Hasan Fadlallah, who was the first to congratulate the officers' families on their release, announced Wednesday a day of joy for the Lebanese but also a day for mourning the credibility of the country’s judiciary. He said it was clear from the onset that the case against the four was politically motivated. "We had hoped that the Lebanese would have the courage and conscience to apply the law rather than their political calculations," he told reporters. "This should be a day of joy and celebration for all Lebanese."
Former President Emile Lahoud, who was president when Hariri was assassinated, also hailed the ruling, saying that the case against the generals was clearly a witch-hunt. "I had no doubt that they are innocent and they have not yet been given their rights, because those who persecuted them must be held accountable," he said.
Former Prime Minister Salim Hoss also hailed the decision to release the four officers as a delightful surprise to Lebanese. Hoss expressed regret that such decision would reflect negatively in the Lebanese judiciary's fame, given that this judiciary didn't treat the officers fairly. The former PM concluded by emphasizing that the innocence of the officers was in itself a conviction of the ruling bloc in Lebanon.
Vice President of the Higher Shiite Council Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan welcomed in turn the release the four generals and said "we had wished for Lebanese judiciary to be the one to issue this fair decision."
The Lebanese Democratic Party congratulated the officers' families on their release, saying that the international tribunal's decision was a flagrant conviction to those responsible of the arbitrary detention.
Member of Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Abbas Hashem also hailed the decision to release the officers and called to re-purge the judicial body in Lebanon after all what happened during the four previous years. He called on Lebanese to give their verdict in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
Former Minister Michel Samaha in turn said that Wednesday was the day that confirmed the collapse of the Lebanese judiciary. He called on President Michel Sleiman and the Higher Justice Council to assume their responsibilities towards the justice.
For his part, former Minister Wiam Wahhab said that the "lie was finally uncovered," noting that the international to be just and objective more than the Lebanese one. He said that there were some judges who deserve to enter the jails, pledging that the post-stage wouldn't be similar to the previous one.
Hussein Assi Readers Number : 67
29/04/2009 Four years of political and arbitrary detention finally saw end!
The four officers, detained by the Lebanese judiciary over the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri's case upon the recommendation of former UN investigator Detlev Mehlis based on the fabricated testimonies of false witnesses, were finally freed but, this time, by the international judiciary…
Shortly after the announcement, people and politicians took to the streets and the officers' homes spontaneously to express their satisfaction and joy. The officers' lawyers were quick to welcome the ruling by The Hague-based Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) saying the court's pre-trial judge and the prosecutor had shown objectivity and fairness in their decision.
"After 44 months, justice has been done and it should have been 43 months ago," Naji Bustany, counsel for the former head of the presidential guard Mustafa Hamdan and the former military intelligence chief Raymond Azar, said.
"This is the result I was waiting for a long time ago," Hajj's lawyer Issam Karam said in turn. "I followed the case from the onset and there is nothing in the file that implicates the generals."
The decision was also immediately hailed by the national opposition that announced the day "a day of joy for the Lebanese," regretting that such decision be made by the international justice not the Lebanese one.
In this context, Hezbollah issued a statement in which it hailed the international tribunal's decision to release the officers after a long arbitrary decision imposed unfairly by the March 14 authority without any charges. Hezbollah recalled that the detention of the four officers brushed aside all laws and legal procedures and caused a status of attenuation and politicization of one of the most important authorities responsible for the maintenance of life and law in the country which is the judicial authority.
Hezbollah statement said that the release of the four officers in the manner that it was should be considered as a significant juncture of reconsideration in the life of the homeland and its citizens. The Resistance party emphasized that the decision to release the officers constitutes a direct conviction of the Lebanese authority and confirms that the logic of revenge, retaliation and maliciousness does not achieve justice or bring truth. "It proves that what is always required, even in the darkest of circumstances, is foresight, honesty, transparency and a priority given to the logic of righteousness, fairness all the way through to justice," Hezbollah statement noted.
Hezbollah said that the comedy represented by the long detention of the four officers was a major scandal in the country's records, noting that it completely uncovers the sponsors of the logic of monopoly and revenge. "It's believed to be an intentional blinding and a deliberate misleading of the investigation that resulted in letting the real criminals to go away," the statement added.
Hezbollah concluded its statement by congratulating the four officers and their families for their release and stressing that the priority now should be to sue and prosecute the responsible of the years of misleading and procrastination that put the country on the verge of abyss.
For his part, member of the Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc MP Hasan Fadlallah, who was the first to congratulate the officers' families on their release, announced Wednesday a day of joy for the Lebanese but also a day for mourning the credibility of the country’s judiciary. He said it was clear from the onset that the case against the four was politically motivated. "We had hoped that the Lebanese would have the courage and conscience to apply the law rather than their political calculations," he told reporters. "This should be a day of joy and celebration for all Lebanese."
Former President Emile Lahoud, who was president when Hariri was assassinated, also hailed the ruling, saying that the case against the generals was clearly a witch-hunt. "I had no doubt that they are innocent and they have not yet been given their rights, because those who persecuted them must be held accountable," he said.
Former Prime Minister Salim Hoss also hailed the decision to release the four officers as a delightful surprise to Lebanese. Hoss expressed regret that such decision would reflect negatively in the Lebanese judiciary's fame, given that this judiciary didn't treat the officers fairly. The former PM concluded by emphasizing that the innocence of the officers was in itself a conviction of the ruling bloc in Lebanon.
Vice President of the Higher Shiite Council Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan welcomed in turn the release the four generals and said "we had wished for Lebanese judiciary to be the one to issue this fair decision."
The Lebanese Democratic Party congratulated the officers' families on their release, saying that the international tribunal's decision was a flagrant conviction to those responsible of the arbitrary detention.
Member of Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Abbas Hashem also hailed the decision to release the officers and called to re-purge the judicial body in Lebanon after all what happened during the four previous years. He called on Lebanese to give their verdict in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
Former Minister Michel Samaha in turn said that Wednesday was the day that confirmed the collapse of the Lebanese judiciary. He called on President Michel Sleiman and the Higher Justice Council to assume their responsibilities towards the justice.
For his part, former Minister Wiam Wahhab said that the "lie was finally uncovered," noting that the international to be just and objective more than the Lebanese one. He said that there were some judges who deserve to enter the jails, pledging that the post-stage wouldn't be similar to the previous one.
Four Generals Released after Four Years of Arbitrary Detention
Readers Number : 266
29/04/2009 Four Lebanese generals arbitrarily detained for nearly four years over the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri without charges or trial were released on Wednesday following a ruling to that effect by a special UN court.
The four were escorted separately out of Roumieh prison on the outskirts of Beirut in a convoy of vehicles after the pre-trial judge at The Hague-based Special Tribunal for Lebanon said there was insufficient evidence to charge them.
They are the former head of the presidential guard, Mustafa Hamdan, security services director Jamil Sayyed, domestic security chief Ali Hajj and military intelligence chief Raymond Azar.
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) has earlier decided that the four Lebanese Generals be released, after nearly four years of detention over the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri yet without charges or trial.
Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Francine ordered in a press conference the immediate release of the Generals. Francine has taken his decision Wednesday based on Judge Daniel Bellemare’s recommendation presented to the STL on Monday.
Shortly after the announcement, people took to the streets spontaneously to express their satisfaction and joy, and fireworks lit the sky of Lebanon.
The officers are the former head of the presidential guard, Mustafa Hamdan, Security Services Director Jamil Sayyed, Domestic Security chief Ali Hajj and Military Intelligence chief Raymond Azar.
The lawyers and the families of the Generals warmly welcomed the STL decision. “Justice is served after 44 months. This should have taken place 43 months before,” Naji Boustani, General Moustapha Hamdan’s lawyer said. Boustani added that Judge Francine has been neutral and fair in his decision.
“This is exactly what I have been waiting for. There is nothing in the file that links the generals to the Hariri crime,” Issam Karam, General Ali Hajj’s lawyer said.
Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar said that he will immediately comply with the tribunal’s decision and release the officers without delay.
For his part, Interior Minister Ziad Baroud said in a press conference that the state of Lebanon will comply with the tribunal’s decision. “Once the decision was taken, release procedures to release the officers got underway,” he said.
Well informed judicial sources have told Al-Manar that procedure are underway to release the officers today as an STL representatives arrive in Beirut to follow-up on General Prosecutor Judge Daniel Bellemare’s decision on four generals’ case.
The officers are the former head of the presidential guard, Mustafa Hamdan, Security Services Director Jamil Sayyed, Domestic Security chief Ali Hajj and Military Intelligence chief Raymond Azar.
The court ruling was broadcast live on Lebanese television.
Readers Number : 266
29/04/2009 Four Lebanese generals arbitrarily detained for nearly four years over the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri without charges or trial were released on Wednesday following a ruling to that effect by a special UN court.
The four were escorted separately out of Roumieh prison on the outskirts of Beirut in a convoy of vehicles after the pre-trial judge at The Hague-based Special Tribunal for Lebanon said there was insufficient evidence to charge them.
They are the former head of the presidential guard, Mustafa Hamdan, security services director Jamil Sayyed, domestic security chief Ali Hajj and military intelligence chief Raymond Azar.
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) has earlier decided that the four Lebanese Generals be released, after nearly four years of detention over the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri yet without charges or trial.
Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Francine ordered in a press conference the immediate release of the Generals. Francine has taken his decision Wednesday based on Judge Daniel Bellemare’s recommendation presented to the STL on Monday.
Shortly after the announcement, people took to the streets spontaneously to express their satisfaction and joy, and fireworks lit the sky of Lebanon.
The officers are the former head of the presidential guard, Mustafa Hamdan, Security Services Director Jamil Sayyed, Domestic Security chief Ali Hajj and Military Intelligence chief Raymond Azar.
The lawyers and the families of the Generals warmly welcomed the STL decision. “Justice is served after 44 months. This should have taken place 43 months before,” Naji Boustani, General Moustapha Hamdan’s lawyer said. Boustani added that Judge Francine has been neutral and fair in his decision.
“This is exactly what I have been waiting for. There is nothing in the file that links the generals to the Hariri crime,” Issam Karam, General Ali Hajj’s lawyer said.
Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar said that he will immediately comply with the tribunal’s decision and release the officers without delay.
For his part, Interior Minister Ziad Baroud said in a press conference that the state of Lebanon will comply with the tribunal’s decision. “Once the decision was taken, release procedures to release the officers got underway,” he said.
Well informed judicial sources have told Al-Manar that procedure are underway to release the officers today as an STL representatives arrive in Beirut to follow-up on General Prosecutor Judge Daniel Bellemare’s decision on four generals’ case.
The officers are the former head of the presidential guard, Mustafa Hamdan, Security Services Director Jamil Sayyed, Domestic Security chief Ali Hajj and Military Intelligence chief Raymond Azar.
The court ruling was broadcast live on Lebanese television.
Hariri: Not Disappointed, Confident Truth Will Be Revealed
Readers Number : 23
29/04/2009 Four years after they were arbitrarily detained without charges or trial, the four Generals were finally freed on Wednesday…
Despite the fact that their detention was imposed by the March 14 bloc that issued the verdict since day one, leaders from the ruling bloc sought on Wednesday to raise the moral of their supporters and partisans who turned to be "victims" of their leaders' false policies.
One of them was the head of the Future Movement MP Saad Hariri who held a press conference in which he did his best to calm down the March 14 supporters, saying he is not disappointed by the ruling.
Hariri said he welcomes the ruling ordering the release of four generals detained since 2005 in connection with the assassination of his father, ex-premier Rafiq Hariri. "I'm not disappointed because I'm confident the truth will be revealed," he said.
"The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is now responsible for what happens after its decisions, which we accept and respect," Hariri said in a televised press conference. "We do not want revenge. All we want is justice," he claimed.
Hariri, apparently displeased with the ruling, admitted that some Lebanese are not pleased with the STL decision. Yet, he called all Lebanese to support the tribunal. "The truth will not be lost," he said.
The Future movement MP went on to warn against taking advantage of the STL's decision and claim the tribunal's work is done. "Our cause is to punish the killers of later ex-Premier Rafiq Hariri and reach results," he concluded.
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