The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) has determined that one of the four individuals accused of involvement in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri is guilty on all 5 counts.
Salim Ayyash, who was accused of having participated in the terrorist act to assassinate Hariri, was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the five charges he had been facing during his trial in absentia.
These charges are, as specified by the STL:
- Conspiracy aimed at committing a terrorist act;
- Committing a terrorist act by means of an explosive device;
- Intentional homicide of Rafik Hariri with premeditation by using explosive materials;
- Intentional homicide of 21 other persons with premeditation by using explosive materials;
- Attempted intentional homicide of 226 persons with premeditation by using explosive materials.
Ayyash, born on November 10th, 1963, was confirmed by the STL to be affiliated with Hezbollah.
Hussein Hassan Oneissi and Assad Hassan Sabra, both of whom were also trialed in absentia for their alleged involvement in the bombing, could not have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, by the STL, to be accomplices in the terrorist act.
While the accused were all linked to Hezbollah, the investigation pointed to no evidence that the leadership of Hezbollah, or the Syrian government, were directly responsible or involved in the killing of Hariri, as the STL’s Presiding Judge declared Tuesday.
