November 20, 2009 - Daily Star - STL prosecutors visit Lebanon to meet lawyers, academics

BEIRUT: Officials from the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) tasked with prosecuting suspects in the 2005 assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri visited Lebanon last week, the court’s Defense Office said Wednesday. François Roux, head of the Defense Office, and his team visited Lebanon to meet with Leba¬nese lawyers, academics and other members of civil society to brief them about their work.
The Defense Office is one of the four independent organs of the STL and is charged with protecting the rights of the Defense. This includes ensuring that an accused’s right to counsel is protected, defense counsel are provided with support, assistance and legal advice. As there are currently no indictments, the Defense Office is preparing in order to fully assume its role when the situation changes.
During their stay in Lebanon, Defense Office officials organized a seminar with the Tripoli Bar Association to brief lawyers about the role and function of the Defense. Discussions also touched on how lawyers can become involved in the Tribunal and what lawyers can expect from the Defense Office.
The Defense Office also interviewed the first applicants to the List of Counsel. Only counsel admitted to the List are entitled to represent suspects and accused who receive legal aid. For the first time in the international and hybrid tribunals, an Admission Panel will interview persons who wish to be added to the List, the STL said. Sixteen of the one-hundred and twenty applicants were interviewed. At this time, eleven applicants were admitted. Further interviews are expected soon.
As part of the Tribunal’s outreach, the Defense Office also met with the Deans of the Faculties of Law of two Lebanese universities to highlight the STL’s internship program.