Bellemare: Investigations Still Ongoing, Prosecutor Can Submit Additional Indictments At Any Stage
Special Tribunal for Lebanon Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare has welcomed the June 28 decision of STL’s pre-trial judge to confirm the indictment that he filed regarding the 2005 assassination of ex-PM Rafik Hariri.
“The decision of the Pre-Trial Judge (Daniel Fransen) represents an important milestone as it is the first independent judicial review of the work of the Office of the Prosecutor,” the OTP said in a statement on Friday.
“The confirmation of the indictment is only a second step in the judicial process. The Office of the Prosecutor’s investigations are still ongoing and work continues to be ready for trial. The Prosecutor can submit additional indictments to the Pre-Trial Judge at any stage,” the OTP noted.
The confirmed indictment is the “result of strong teamwork and dedication in the Office of the Prosecutor and countless hours of investigative work,” Bellemare’s office said, adding that “this result could not have been achieved without the support and assistance of the Lebanese authorities.”
“It reflects, above all, the continued commitment of the Lebanese people to put an end to impunity in Lebanon,” the OTP went on to say.
Bellemare also thanked the Lebanese people and the families of the victims for “their patience and hopes that this confirmation will renew their confidence in our resolve to uncover the truth.”
“Bringing the accused to justice will require adherence to the rule of law, the continued cooperation of the Lebanese authorities, and support of the international community,” the OTP stressed.
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