February 28, 2009 - Naharnet - 4 Generals in Hariri Murder Denied Prison Release

The examining magistrate on Friday denied a request for the release of the four generals detained on suspicion of involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. It was a last chance effort to free the four generals -- in custody since 2005 on suspicion of premeditated murder, attempted premeditated murder and carrying out terrorist acts -- before they are handed over to the international tribunal which starts functioning on March 1. On Thursday, the generals submitted a request to examining magistrate Saqr Saqr for immediate release. Saqr on Friday, however, turned down all requests for the release of former head of the presidential guard Mustafa Hamdan, security services director Jamil Sayyed, domestic security chief Ali Hajj and military intelligence chief Raymond Azar. On Wednesday, Saqr released three of seven suspects held over the murder of f Hariri. But the judge rejected demands for the release of Sayyed and Hajj.