Lebanon rejects plea to free generals in Hariri’s murder
August 7th, 2008 - 4:19 am ICT by IANSDPA
Beirut, Aug 7 (DPA) Lebanese judicial authorities Wednesday turned down a request to free four army generals who have been held without charge since August 2005 in connection with the assassination of ex-premier Rafik Hariri, a judicial source said. “The judicial authorities refused to free the four men, who have pleaded their innocence in the assassination,” the source said.
The four officers, who are believed to be close to the Syrian regime, are former presidential guard chief General Mustafa Hamdan, former head of the general security department General Jamil Sayyed, former head of the internal security forces General Ali Hajj and former chief of army intelligence General Raymond Azar.
Syria has been widely accused of involvement in Hariri’s murder but so far it has vehemently denied any involvement.
An international tribunal to try the suspects involved in the assassination is due to be set up after a UN investigative team completes its work.
DPA
- UN tribunal frees four accused in Hariri case - Apr 29, 2009
- Hariri tribunal should not be used for revenge: Opposition - Mar 01, 2009
- Global panel set up to investigate Lebanese PM's killing - Mar 01, 2009
- Lebanon on high alert ahead of Hariri tribunal hearing - Feb 28, 2009
- Lebanon marks fourth anniversary of Hariri killing - Feb 14, 2009
- Syria was shocked at top Hezbollah operative's assassination two yrs back: Wikileaks - Dec 08, 2010
- Lebanon's election is crucial: Clinton - Apr 26, 2009
- Lebanon halts ship carrying arms for Syria rebels - Apr 29, 2012
- US envoy warns against rearming Lebanon's Hezbollah - Dec 18, 2008
- One dead after attacks following Hariri rally - Feb 16, 2009
- Lebanon opens embassy in Damascus for first time - Mar 16, 2009
- Hezbollah says ready for another war with Israel - Nov 12, 2010
- Lebanese leader denies inciting unrest in Syria - Apr 14, 2011
- Lebanese officials say Ethiopian airliner was on fire before it crashed - Jan 26, 2010
- Lebanon's president names Hariri as premier - Jun 27, 2009
Tags: ali, army generals, army intelligence, beirut, chief of army, four men, general security, hajj, innocence, internal security forces, international tribunal, investigative team, judicial authorities, judicial source, mustafa hamdan, plea, rafik hariri, raymond azar, security department, syrian regime