UN Secretary-General condemns intimidation of UN-backed Lebanon tribunal
October 29th 2010
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban-Ki-moon on Friday condemned the intimidation attacks against three staff members of the UN-backed tribunal set up in Lebanon.
On Wednesday, two investigators from the Office of the Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal and their interpreter were attending a pre-arranged meeting at a doctor's office in Beirut as part of the investigation when a large group of people suddenly showed up and violently attacked the three staff members.
The attackers stole several items belonging to the staff. The Lebanese army were able to extract the three individuals and brought them back safely to the Tribunal's office and were given medical attention.
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is an independent court set up at the request of the Lebanese Government and with a clear UN Security Council mandate. It is in charge of prosecuting suspects in the 2005 murder of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others.
The UN Secretary-General called the attacks as unacceptable acts of interference and intimidation. He called on all parties stop interfering in the Special Tribunal's work and from prejudging its outcome. He requested local authorities to uncover the truth and end impunity as well as opening an inquiry on the incident.
The Lebanese Prosecutor’s Office denounced the use of violence, emphasizing that the investigation into the Hariri attack will continue despite Wednesday’s incident. Ban concluded by highlighting the importance of safe a secure environment in order to allow the Special Tribunal to carry out its work.
By Eddy Gomez
