The trial in the Salim Ayyash case has been canceled due to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s (STL) financial situation, the STL announced on Thursday.
The canceled trial was due on June 16, and it was suspended by an order issued by the Trial Chamber II, “along with all decisions on filings presently before it, and on any future filings, until further notice.”
The order comes two days after the STL Registrar notified the Chamber of the financial difficulty the Tribunal is facing, according to the statement.
“The imminent exhaustion of funds will impact the Tribunal’s ability to finance the continuation of judicial proceedings and completion of its mandate unless further contributions are forthcoming this month,” the statement read.
The STL noted that a Pre-Trial Conference that had been scheduled on June 10 to hear the parties and the Legal Representatives of Victims was also canceled by the Trial Chamber II’s order.
“The STL continues its intensive efforts to raise the funds required to carry on its ongoing judicial proceedings and reiterates its urgent call upon the international community for its continued financial support.”
On June 2nd, the STL said in a statement that it was facing “an unprecedented financial crisis,” warning that it will not be able to operate beyond July 2021 without additional contributions.
The Tribunal’s funding shortage comes as Lebanon, which is responsible for 49% of the required funding, crumbles under the weight of its own financial crisis.
