The Prosecutor v. Ayyash et al. (STL-11-01)

Current Stage of the Proceedings

On 05 March 2020, the STL Trial Chamber gave notice that it would deliver the Judgment in the Ayyash et al. case in public session mid-May 2020. The Judges stated that they would specify the precise date of the public pronouncement of the Judgment as soon as possible.

On 22 April 2020, the Legal Representatives of Victims (LRV) sought clarification from the Trial Chamber regarding the date and manner of the public pronouncement of the Judgment, given the realities of the limitations on international transit and human association in the current global pandemic.

Given the prevailing circumstances regarding COVID-19, the STL Trial Chamber cannot deliver the Judgment in the Ayyash et al. case in mid-May.

The Judges will specify the date of the public pronouncement of the Judgment as soon as possible.

Background

The Trial Chamber has been deliberating to deter-mine whether the Prosecution has proved its case

“beyond reasonable doubt” against the four Accused, Mr Salim Jamil Ayyash, Mr Hassan Habib Merhi, Mr Hussein Hassan Oneissi and Mr Assad Hassan Sabra. The Judges are in the process of reviewing the evidence and the arguments presented by the Parties and the Legal Representatives of Victims.

The Trial Chamber will render a reasoned judgment on each count in the indictment either acquitting or convicting the Accused.

The closing arguments in the Ayyash et al. case concluded on 21 September 2018, after nine hearing days.

Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Dokter van der Stamstraat 1, 2265 BC Leidschendam, NetherlandsFor more information please contact the Public Information and Communications Section: stl-pressoffice@un.org Tel : +31 (0) 70 800 3560 / 3828 and +961 4 538 100 (Beirut)

www.stl-tsl.org Twitter LinkedIn Facebook YouTube Flickr

The STL Bulletin provides a monthly overview of the latest developments, news and visits to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. The information is presented to aid members of the public, journalists, and other interested parties in understanding judicial and non-judicial developments at the STL. It is provided for informational purposes only, based on public filings and resources. Its contents have not been formally endorsed by Chambers or by the parties, and PICS makes no guarantee of the accuracy or completeness of the information. You can view previous copies of the Bulletin at https://www.stl-tsl.org/en/media/stl-bulletin.

STL BulletinFebruary - April 2020

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The Prosecutor v. Ayyash (STL-18-10)

Developments in the Ayyash Case

On 5 February 2020, STL Trial Chamber II (TCII) issued a decision to proceed with a trial in absentia against the Accused Salim Jamil Ayyash in the Ayyash Case. In reaching this decision, TCII took into account oral and written submissions from the Registrar, the STL Prosecutor, and the Head of Defence Office. It also examined numerous docu-ments from the Lebanese authorities which detail the steps they have taken to apprehend the Accused

and inform him about the proceedings initiated against him. TCII concluded that all reasonable steps have been taken to secure the appearance of the accused and to notify him of the charges against him. It nevertheless emphasized the accused’s right to a retrial should he appear before the Tribunal in the future. The case now proceeds to the Pre-Trial phase.

On 6 February 2020, the STL Head of Defence Office assigned Mr Emile Aoun, as Lead Counsel and Ms Anta Guissé, as Co-Counsel to defend the interests and rights of the Accused Mr Ayyash. The assignment comes following the request of the

Pre-Trial Judge to the Head of Defence Office. The Head of Defence Office considered that it was in the best interests of the Accused that Mr Emile Aoun, Lead Counsel in the Ayyash et al. case (STL 11-01), should also represent the interests and rights

Did you know?The Ayyash Case proceeds to the Pre-Trial phase, what are the steps to be expected?

1. Assignment of Defence Counsel by the Head of Defence Office

2. The Prosecution’s disclosure to the Defence of copies of the supporting material, which accompanied the indictment at the confirma-tion stage.

3. Potential Preliminary motions filed by the Defence challenging the Tribunal’s jurisdiction (including the challenge against the Pre-Trial

Judge (PTJ)’s ruling on connectivity, alleging defects in the form of the indictment or seeking the severance of joined counts.

4. PTJ to decide on victims’ applications seeking participation in the proceedings.

5. Designation of Legal Representatives for participating victims.

6. PTJ to issue a Working Plan and to set a tentative date for the start of trial proceedings (Rule 91 of the STL Rules of Procedure and Evidence “RPE”).

7. PTJ to submit case file to TCII.

Covid-19 pandemic

As part of international efforts to contain Covid-19, the STL is doing its part to minimize the spread of the virus. It is committed to the health and safety of its staff and the general public. It follows the policies of the Netherlands, Lebanon and the United Nations.

On 13 March, the access to STL Offices in Leid-schendam, Beirut and New York was limited. However, STL activities continue through remote working arrangements. This has ensured that

the STL can continue to fulfil its mandate. The completion and delivery of the trial Judgment in case STL-11-01 remains a priority.

The STL building is closed to external visitors, including group visits. This policy will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and the public will be informed on the STL website as to when visits can resume. In the meantime, the public can visit the STL website for updated information.

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of Mr Ayyash in the present case (STL 18-10), as the case concerns the same Accused and in view of

his in-depth knowledge of the procedures before the STL.

On 25 February 2020, the Prosecution completed its disclosure of the material supporting the indict-ment, as per Rule 110(A)(i) of the RPE.

On 13 March, 23 March, 08 April and 23 April 2020, the PTJ, after having consulted TCII, issued consecutive orders suspending legal deadlines in the case. In his fourth order, the PTJ extended, proprio motu and in consultation with TCII, the suspen-sion of all statutory time limits until 20 May 2020. He indicated he would evaluate whether resuming the proceedings was feasible based on the Parties’ submissions on their respective capacity to file and respond to potential preliminary motions. The PTJ also indicated that despite the suspension, the Parties retained the capacity to seize the competent Chambers in relation to matters relevant at this stage of the proceedings. These orders came amidst the exceptional circumstances caused by the Covid-19 outbreak including the limited access of personnel to the STL premises.

On 20 March 2020, the PTJ issued non-disclosure measures in order to prevent the dissemination of

confidential information in the Ayyash Case to the public. He indicated that these measures authorized vis à vis the Defence are not meant to and should not obstruct its work in order to prepare adequately the defence of the interests of the Accused. The PTJ specified that such measures should also apply to the Prosecution and the legal representatives of Victims Participating in the Proceedings (VPP), and recalled that the violation of those obligations could lead to sanctions under Rule 60 bis of the RPE. The said-rule states that the Tribunal may hold in contempt persons who knowingly and willfully interfere with its administration of justice.

On 17 April 2020, the PTJ granted the status of victim participating in the proceedings (VPP) to 29 victims out of 33 who applied to participate in the Ayyash Case proceedings. Four of the applications that were transmitted to the PTJ by the Victims’ Participation Unit (VPU) were rejected as incom-plete with the possibility of subsequently providing additional information for their applications to be reassessed. The PTJ ordered the victims to partici-pate through common legal representation divided

Did you know?The Ayyash Case (STL-18-10) relates to three attacks against Mr Marwan Hamade, Mr Georges Hawi and Mr Elias El-Murr. These attacks were found to be connected to the 14 February 2005 attack against former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Mr Salim Jamil Ayyash, the Accused in the Ayyash Case (STL-18-10) is also one of the four accused in

the Ayyash et al. case (STL-11-01), which relates to the 14 February 2005 attack that led to the killing of former Prime Minister Hariri and 21 others, and injured 226 more. Despite having one common Accused, Mr Ayyash, these two cases are distinct from each other and are at different stages of the proceedings.

Did you know?The STL affords victims who suffered harm as a result of an act under the Tribunal’s jurisdiction the right to participate in judicial proceedings. In this respect, the STL is one of only a few international tribunals that give victims the opportunity to take an active part in the proceedings, by voicing their views and concerns.

The STL assigns the participating victims their own lawyer, referred to as the Legal Representative

of Victims. The STL covers the cost of legal representation for those participating victims who cannot afford it.

You can learn more about Victims’ Participation at the STL in this animated video, part of the series “STL explained”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFwupLGDPAg&feature=youtu.be

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into three distinct groups, each relating to one of the three attacks. He also ordered the Registrar to designate a legal representative for each group, after consulting the VPU, in accordance with the STL RPE. The names and identities of the victims are confidential at this stage.

On 23 April 2020, the PTJ issued an order requesting submissions by 30 April 2020 from the Defence and the Prosecutor on their respective capacity to file and respond to potential prelimi-nary motions and, subsequently, in relation to other challenges they might encounter in this regard. The PTJ recalled Rule 90 of the RPE, stipulating that preliminary motions shall be brought not later than thirty days after disclosure by the Prosecutor to the Defence of all supporting material and statements as per Rule 110 (A) of the RPE. He also specified that, pursuant to Rule 89 (F) of the RPE, he could set yet another time-limit for the filing of preliminary motions.

On 30 April 2020, the Registrar, the Prosecution and the Defence for Mr Ayyash responded to the PTJ’s order in relation to the examination of poten-tial preliminary motions.

In his submission, the Registrar informed the PTJ that Legal representatives for Victims have made submissions on preliminary motions in the past and may wish to do so in the present case. He considered it relevant for the PTJ to be aware of the designation process of Legal Representatives for participating victims currently underway and that is expected to be complete at the latest in the week of 11 May. The Registrar highlighted that the onboarding process of all the legal representatives and members of the teams may take several months. Accordingly, he reserved the rights of legal representatives to make their own submissions before the PTJ should the current timeline not allow for sufficient preparation

and instructions to be obtained from the victims in relation to possible responses to preliminary motions.

In turn, the Prosecution indicated that it has the capacity to submit its responses to any Defence preliminary motion. Working remotely as part of the Tribunal’s measure to address the Covid-19 pandemic led to limitations; accordingly, and supported by detailed examples, the Prosecution suggested that the PTJ establishes a framework pursuant to Rule 89(F), that allows the Prosecution to respond to preliminary motions in a staggered manner, with reasonably enlarged deadlines. The Prosecution added that it would nevertheless make all efforts to file its Reponses within the regular 14-day deadlines. Simultaneously, the Prosecution indicated that, although technical means are avail-able allowing the Office to respond to any Defence preliminary motion, those means are not sufficient for the Prosecution to be able to cover other impor-tant aspects of its pre-trial and trial preparation, as required by the Rules.

Finally, the Defence advised that resumption of pre-trial proceedings while the current restrictions remain in place including the running of Rule 90 (A) for the filing of “preliminary motions”, would seriously prejudice the Defence and its ability to participate in the proceedings. The Defence listed numerous challenges they encountered including the Defence Team’s limited capacity, remote working and the lack of expert assistance. However, given the importance of the subject-matter and by way of exception, the Defence requested the PTJ to set a time limit of at least 30 days to file a preliminary motion on jurisdiction pursuant to Rules 11(C) and 90(A)(i) of the RPE.

Background

The STL Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen confirmed an indictment against Mr Salim Jamil Ayyash in the

Did you know?One of the unique features of the STL is an auton-omous Pre-Trial Judge. He establishes jurisdiction over attacks connected to the 14 February 2005 attack. He reviews and confirms indictments submitted by the Prosecutor in relation to cases within the STL’s jurisdiction. The Pre-Trial Judge

also issues arrest warrants, summons to appear and/or international arrest warrants with the indict-ment. His role is to ensure that the trial is prepared fairly and expeditiously. He also grants the status of victims participating in STL proceedings. Learn more about his role here: https://bit.ly/2YfV3pE

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Ayyash Case. This case relates to three attacks against Mr Marwan Hamade, Mr Georges Hawi and Mr Elias El-Murr, which took place on 1 October 2004, 21 June 2005 and 12 July 2005 respectively. The Pre-Trial Judge had determined that the above attacks were connected to the 14 February 2005 attack against former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

For more information on the key developments in the Ayyash Case, please consult this link: https://www.stl-tsl.org/en/the-cases/stl-18-10/key-developments

The STL has jurisdiction over persons responsible for attacks that took place in Lebanon between 1 October 2004 and 12 December 2005 if the Tribunal finds that these attacks are connected to the attack of 14 February 2005, in which former

Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 21 others were killed and 226 injured.

Information about the attacks:

On 1 October 2004, an explosive device targeted Mr Marwan Hamade (a Lebanese politician) in Beirut. Mr Hamade and another person were injured, and his bodyguard Ghazi Abou-Karroum was killed.

On 21 June 2005, an explosive device targeted Mr Georges Hawi (a Lebanese politician) in Beirut. Mr Hawi was killed and two other persons were injured.

On 12 July 2005, an explosive device targeted Mr Elias El-Murr (a Lebanese politician) in Antelias. Khaled Moura was killed, and Mr El-Murr and 14 others injured.

Major Decisions and Filings

In the Prosecutor v. Ayyash Case STL-18-10

F0090 – Decision to Hold Trial In Absentia, 5 February 2020

F0092 – Assignment of Defence Counsel for the Proceedings In Absentia Conducted Pursuant to Rule 106 of the Rules, 6 February 2020

F0118 – Order Suspending Deadlines, 13 March 2020

F0123 – Second Order Suspending Deadlines, 23 March 2020

F0124 – Third Order Suspending Deadlines, 8 April 2020

F0128 – Decision Relating to Victims Participa-tion in the proceedings and their Legal Representa-tion, 17 April 2020

F0129 – Order Seeking Submissions from the Parties in Relation to the Examination of Any Preliminary Motions, 23 April 2020

F0130 – Fourth Order Suspending Deadlines, 23 April 2020

F0131 – Registrar’s Submission Pursuant to Rule 48 (C) in Relation to the Pre-Trial Judge’s Order of 23 April 2020, 30 April 2020

F0132 – Prosecution Submission in Response to the “Ordonnance solicitant les observations des parties sur l’examen des éventuelles exceptions préjudicielles” , 30 April 2020

F0133 – Defence Submissions Following Pre-Trial Judge’s Order of 23 April 2020, 30 April 2020

In the Ayyash et al. Case (STL-11-01)

F3818 – Notice of Scheduling the Public Pronouncement of Judgment, 5 March 2020

F3819 – Decision granting the Legal Represent-atives of Victims’ application to withdraw one participating victim from the proceedings, 10 March 2020

F3828 – Request for Clarification of the Trial Chamber’s Notice of Scheduling the Public Pronouncement of Judgment, 22 April 2020

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Understanding the Testimony in Ayyash et al. (STL-11-01)Alleged Telephone Networks, Groups, and SubgroupsThe Prosecution relies on telecommunications evidence to prove that former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was under surveillance by the Accused in the months before his assassination on 14 February 2005.

The Prosecution alleges that five interconnected mobile telephone networks/groups, including two relevant subgroups, were involved in planning, preparing, and executing the 14 February 2005 attack. For ease of reference, the Prosecution has coded the networks/groups by colour.

“Principal Six”Members carried Red, Blue, and Yellow phonesAlleged Members: Mr Ayyash and unidentified Subjects 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 (note: Subjects 5 and 7 did not carry Yellow phones)

“Balance of Nine”9Members carried nine of the fifteen Blue phones (distinct from the “Principal Six”)Alleged Members: Unidentified Subjects 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, and 23, along with three other unidentified individuals

REDnetworkbAlleged Purpose: Preparing for the attack, including observing Mr Hariri’s movementsAlleged Members: The “Principal Six” (including Mr Ayyash)

Alleged Purpose: Planning the attack, including the surveillance of Mr HaririAlleged Members: The “Principal Six” (including Mr Ayyash) and the “Balance of Nine”

BLUEnetworkb

Alleged Purpose: Monitoring and coordinating attack preparations, including preparing the false claim of responsibilityAlleged Members: Messrs Ayyash, Merhi, and former Accused Mr Badreddine

GREENnetworkbAlleged Purpose: Preparing for the attack, including observing Mr Hariri’s movementsAlleged Members: Four of the “Principal Six” (Mr Ayyash and Subjects 6, 8, and 9), and nine other unidentified individuals

YELLOWnetworkb

Alleged Purpose: Coordinating the false claim of responsibilityAlleged Members: Messrs Merhi, Oneissi, and Sabra (additionally, “Associate Purple” tele-phones were in contact with the Purple group)

PURPLEgroupb

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REDnetworkbPhone Attributed User*RED 741 AYYASH

RED 636 SUBJECT 5

RED 678 SUBJECT 6

RED 946 SUBJECT 7

RED 893 SUBJECT 8

RED 652 SUBJECT 9

BLUEnetworkbPhone Attributed User*BLUE 233 AYYASH

BLUE 585 SUBJECT 5

BLUE 610 SUBJECT 6

BLUE 324 SUBJECT 7

BLUE 817 SUBJECT 8

BLUE 864 SUBJECT 9

NINE OTHERS UNKNOWN INDIVIDUALS

GREENnetworkbPhone Attributed User*GREEN 023 BADREDDINE

GREEN 300 AYYASH

GREEN 071 MERHI

YELLOWnetworkbPhone Attributed User*YELLOW 294 AYYASH

YELLOW 669 AYYASH

YELLOW 457 SUBJECT 6

YELLOW 933 SUBJECT 8

YELLOW 024 SUBJECT 9

NINE OTHERS UNKNOWN INDIVIDUALS

PURPLEgroupbPhone Attributed User*PURPLE 231 MERHI

PURPLE 095 ONEISSI

PURPLE 018 SABRA

Other phonesbPhone Attributed User*MOBILE 091 MERHI’S WIFE AND

OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS

PMP 354 BADREDDINE

PMP 663 BADREDDINE

SMP 944 BADREDDINE

PMP 165 AYYASH

PMP 935 AYYASH

PMP 091 AYYASH

PMP 170 AYYASH

GREY PHONE MERHI

* According to the Prosecutor

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STL Annual Report 2019-2020

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon submitted its eleventh annual report to the United Nations Secre-tary-General and to the Government of Lebanon on 1 March 2020

The annual report details the activities of the Tribunal from 1 March 2019 to 29 February 2020, its objec-tives for the coming year and highlights the achieve-ments of the four organs: Chambers, Office of the Prosecutor (OTP), Defence Office and Registry. A brief summary is included below.

Specifically, one key milestone was the confirma-tion of an indictment and commencement of the pre-trial phase in the Ayyash Case (STL-18-10). This marked the beginning of proceedings in rela-tion to three other attacks within the Tribunal’s jurisdiction, perpetrated on 1 October 2004, 21 June 2005 and 12 July 2005, against Mr Marwan Hamade, Mr Georges Hawi and Mr Elias El-Murr, respectively. The new case led to the creation of a second Trial Chamber dedicated to proceedings in this case, which determined that proceedings could be conducted in absentia.

The annual report is available on the tribunal’s website.

Inter-University Programme on International Criminal Law and Procedure (IUP-ICLP) - 2019-2020

The 8th edition of the Inter-University Programme on International Criminal Law and Procedure (IUP-ICLP) started in November 2019 with 17 lectures already delivered until now. Due to the outbreak of Covid-19, the Programme had to adapt its lectures to accommodate the students and ensure all lectures are successfully delivered. Accordingly, the 3 latest lectures (out of the 17 lectures) were delivered online via T.M.C. Asser Institute’s online portal. Lectures were translated and uploaded.

The Programme mirrors the developments of Inter-national Criminal Law and Procedure. Lectures address a range of topics including: History of the Law of international tribunals, Substantive Law (Genocide, Crimes against humanity, War crimes and Terrorism), Development of International and Transnational Justice, International Criminal Law and Sharia Law, International Criminal Law and the Lebanese legal system, General principles, Inter-national Criminal Proceedings and Universal Juris-diction and future developments in International Criminal Law. The lectures so far are listed below:

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The Lectures – November 2019 to April 2020

1st lecture‘History of the law of international tribunals and sources of international criminal (procedural) law’ – STL President Judge Ivana Hrdličková

2nd lecture‘Substantive law: Genocide’ – Mr Amir Čengić, Legal Officer in the Appeals Chamber at the United Nations Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT)

3rd lecture‘Substantive law: Crimes Against Humanity’ – Ms. Marina Lostal, Legal Consultant with the Trust Fund for Victims at the International Criminal Court (ICC)

4th lecture‘Substantive law: War crimes’, – Prof. Dr. Robert Heinsch, Associate Professor of Public Interna-tional Law at the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies of Leiden University

5th lecture‘Substantive law: Terrorism; role of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon’ – Sir David Baragwanath, Appellate Judge and former President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon

6th lecture‘Development of International and Transitional Justice’ – Dr. Carmen Abou Jaoude, Political Scientist, Lecturer and Associate Researcher, and Ms. Olga Kavran, Head of Outreach and Legacy at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon

7th lecture‘International Criminal Law and Sharia Law – similarities and differences’, was given live by Judge Samir Alya, Lecturer at the Islamic Univer-sity of Lebanon

8th lecture‘International Criminal Law and the Lebanese legal system’, was given live by Dr. Nidal Jurdi, lecturer at the American University of Beirut, and

Acting Representative of the UN OHCHR in Tunisia

9th lecture‘Comparative law: Criminal proceedings in inter-national jurisdictions and in Lebanon’, – Judge Ralph Riachi, Vice-President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon

10th lecture‘General Principles: Rights of the Accused’, – Ms Dorothée Le Fraper du Hellen, Head of the Defence Office at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon

12th lecture‘Jurisdiction, Admissibility and Complementarity’, was given by Ms Eleni Chaitidou, Legal Officer at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers

13th lecture‘General Principles: Modes of Liability – Indi-vidual Criminal Responsibility’, was given by Mr Alexis Demirdjian, Trial Lawyer at the Interna-tional Criminal Court

14th lecture‘General Principles: Modes of Liability – Command Responsibility’, was given by Mr Lachezar Yanev, Assistant Professor in International Criminal Law at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

15th lecture‘International Criminal Proceedings (Pretrial) - Arrest and Surrender’, was given by Christophe Paulussen, Senior Researcher at T.M.C Asser Instituut

16th lecture‘International Criminal Proceedings (Trial)’, was given by Professor Goran Sluiter, Professor of International Criminal Law at the University of Amsterdam

17th lecture‘Universal Jurisdiction and Possible future devel-opments in International Criminal Law’, was given by Mirjam Ekkart, Legal Staff Advisor on International Crimes at the District court of The Hague

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Press Releases

The Ayyash Case (STL-18-10) to proceed in absentia

On 05 February 2020, STL Trial Chamber II issued a decision to proceed with a trial in absentia against Salim Jamil Ayyash, the accused in the case relating to the attacks against Hamade, Hawi and El-Murr.

TCII concluded that all reasonable steps have been taken to secure the appearance of the accused and to notify him of the charges against him.

For more

Press Release from the Defence Office – Assignment of Defence Counsel for the Accused Salim Jamil Ayyash

On 06 February 2020, Head of Defence Office assigned Mr Emile Aoun as Lead Counsel and Ms

Anta Guissé as Co-Counsel to defend the interests and rights of Mr Ayyash.

For moreSTL Registrar visits Beirut

STL Registrar Daryl Mundis concluded a working visit to Beirut in the week of 10 February 2020. Mr Mundis met with several officials including Prime Minister Hassan Diab, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and former Justice Minister Salim Jreissati,

adviser to the Lebanese President of the Republic Michel Aoun. This mission is part of the Registrar’s regular visits to update the Lebanese officials on the Tribunal’s work.

For more

Prosecutor Farrell concludes a working visit to Lebanon

On 26 February 2020, STL Prosecutor Norman Farrell concluded a working visit to Lebanon. He held several meetings with the Justice Minister, State Prosecutor General and the Prosecutor’s staff in the Beirut Office. This visit was an opportunity

for the Prosecutor to continue strengthening his direct interaction with his Lebanese counterpart and thank the team in Beirut for their excellent work and dedication.

For more

The Trial Chamber gave notice of scheduling the public pronouncement of the Judgment in the Ayyash et al. case

On 05 March 2020, STL Trial Chamber I gave notice that it will deliver its Judgment in the Ayyash et al. case (STL-11-01) in public session in mid-May 2020. In the filing, the Judges stated that they would

specify the precise date of the public pronounce-ment of the Judgment as soon as possible.

For more

STL publishes Eleventh Annual Report

On 11 March 2020, the STL submitted its elev-enth annual report to the United Nations Secre-tary General and to the Lebanese Government. The annual report details the Tribunal’s activities for the

coming year and highlights the achievements of the four organs.

For more

Pre-Trial Judge rules on victims’ participation in the Ayyash Case (STL-18-10)

On 17 April 2020, the PTJ granted the status of victim participating in the proceedings (VPP) to 29 victims in the Ayyash Case.

For more

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Visits

During the months of February, the STL hosted four groups of visitors from Lebanon, the United Kingdom, Italy and France: the National Committee for Human Rights, LUISS University, Coventry Law School and Université Paris 13. The visitors received presentations on the work of the STL from representatives of the four organs and had the

opportunity to tour the courtroom. The STL regu-larly hosts group of visitors ranging from students and academics to court management officers and lawyers. In March 2020, the STL decided to pause group visits due to the outbreak of Covid-19 to ensure as much as possible the safety, health and welfare of STL Staff and visitors.

The Cases in Numbers

STL-11-01

Witnesses Total: 2971 In person (Viva Voce): 129

In Leidschendam: 75Via Video Teleconference (VTC): 48In Leidschendam and via VTC: 6

Written statement: 200, of whom 32 also testified in person

Exhibits Total: 3131

Prosecution: 2487

Defence: 599

Ayyash: 39Badreddine: 90Merhi: 73Oneissi: 157Sabra: 240

Legal Representative of Victims: 45Filings Total: 5183

Decisions Total: 1532Pre-trial Judge: 361

Written: 361 Trial Chamber: 11162

Written: 777 Appeal Chamber: 55

Written: 55Delivered in Court: 0

Delivered in Court: 306

Delivered in Court: 0

Victims Participating in the Proceedings Total: 7043 participating victims have attended the proceedings to date

1 Following an audit both under-counts and over-counts of witnesses were identified and removed2 Total as of 20 October 2011

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For more information about the STL’s news and activities, follow us on social media:

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Current Opportunities at the STLJob Vacancies – Please refer to our website for regu-larly updated employment opportunities at the STL

Internships – The STL accepts internship applica-tions for placement in the Chambers, Office of the Prosecutor, Defence Office, and Registry on a rolling basis throughout the year.

National Junior Professionals - The National Junior Professionals Program (NJP) is established

to afford Lebanese postgraduates the opportunity to contribute to the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (“STL”) in its Beirut Office, under the supervision and mentorship of a staff member within a receiving Section/Unit, whilst simultane-ously enhancing their professional development. For more information about the NJP program please contact stl-internships@un.org