July 24, 2010 - Now Lebanon - Arslan calls STL probe a scandal

During a Saturday press conference, Lebanese Democratic Party leader MP Talal Arslan called the Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s (STL) investigation into the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri a scandal because the tribunal did not prosecute false witnesses.

His comment comes as a possible reference to former General Security head Brigadier General Jamil as-Sayyed, who was imprisoned for four years—along with three other former security officials—over allegations of his alleged involvement in the Hariri murder. Sayyed has launched a lawsuit alleging that he was the victim of false testimony.

“The STL’s attitude toward false witnesses is the top scandal in the history of world judiciary,” Arslan said, adding, “It is the first time in history a court takes a stand defending false witnesses.”

“What is worse is that Israel has been exonerated as a major source of information for the investigation,” he added. His comment comes in reference to the claims of March 8 coalition figures that the recent arrests of alleged Israeli spies working in the telecom sector invalidates the tribunal’s evidence.

Media outlets have reported that the STL indictment will, in part, be based on telecom evidence.