July 13, 2010 - Now Lebanon - STL hears Sayyed’s request for his investigation’s files

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) on Tuesday held a public hearing in the Dutch town of Leidschendam on former General Security head Brigadier General Jamil as-Sayyed’s request for files related to his detention in Lebanon from 2005 to 2009.

Sayyed was held on allegations of involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Due to lack of evidence, he was released in 2009 without being formally charged.

Pre-trial Judge Daniel Fransen began the proceedings by saying that the hearing was concerned with whether Sayyed’s request fell within the STL’s jurisdiction and whether Sayyed has the legal standing to bring his request to the tribunal.

A representative from STL Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare’s office said that Sayyed’s request fell outside the court’s jurisdiction. The representative added that even if the request were within the STL’s jurisdiction, it would have to be rejected because Sayyed has no standing before the court.

Sayyed’s lawyer, Akram Azouri, described to the court how Sayyed’s legal efforts to obtain the files have so far failed. He said that Sayyed has the right to view his file to learn why he had been falsely accused and detained.

Azouri added that Syria does not recognize the STL. He also said that Syria’s courts are responsible for trying its country’s nationals, referring to former Syrian intelligence officer Mohammed Zuhair al-Siddiq.

Sayyed in December filed a lawsuit in Damascus against Siddiq and a number of other Syrian and and Lebanese officials, accusing them of slander, falsifying testimonies and depriving him of his freedom.

The former brigadier general thanked Judge Fransen for the hearing, saying his release shows that he is a victim of perjury.

He voiced hope that the STL would hold his perjurers accountable and added that without access to his file he cannot take them to trial.

Fransen did not specify when he would issue his verdict on Sayyed’s case, but said that the ruling might come at the beginning of September.