Judges reject appeal for acquittal by Lebanon PM assassination suspect

Evidence ‘strong enough’ for long-running trial in absentia to continue, UN-backed tribunal into killing of Rafik Hariri rules

By Agencies 7 March 2018, 5:47 pm
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A portrait of slain Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri sits on his flower-covered grave in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, January 15, 2014. (AP/Hussein Malla)
A portrait of slain Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri sits on his flower-covered grave in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, January 15, 2014. (AP/Hussein Malla)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Judges at a United Nations-backed tribunal have rejected a request for acquittal by one of four suspects on trial in absentia for their alleged roles in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

In a lengthy decision issued Wednesday at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, judges said that the case against Hussein Hassan Oneissi will continue.

Lawyers representing Oneissi called for his acquittal after the presentation of the prosecution’s case, saying his trial should be halted because of insufficient evidence to convict him.

Judges disagreed, saying that the evidence was strong enough for the long-running trial to continue.

Hariri was killed along with 21 others on February 14, 2005, in a massive truck bomb blast in Beirut.

All four suspects are members of the Hezbollah terror group.

 

 

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