Hezbollah Resists Lebanese Tribunal Decision Of Life Sentence Over Hariri Assassination
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Roshan Amiri
- . June 19, 2022
- . Update: June 19, 2022 1:17 pm
Lebanon–The special tribunal in Lebanon has sentenced two members of Hezbollah with life sentences for their involvement in the 2005 bombing that claimed the life of former prime minister Rafik Hariri. The tribunal that is suppose to close down due to lack of funds, had promised to clear up the back log of cases.
However, the Iran backed Hezbollah that has recently been coming around to a peaceful solution of governance with ruling government isn’t happy with adhering to this decision. In fact, the terrorist group has refused to let off its members accused of having committed the crime.
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has asked that Hezbollah must respect the decision made by the tribunal. Three accused were found guilty and sentenced in their absence. The death of Hariri had led to quite a public stir as a suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into the Beirut waterfront. Many civilians also lost their lives as collateral damage. So, reasons to persecute were two-pronged.
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Political analysts now feel that three accused who have not been handed over by Hezbollah and remain at large and are unlikely to serve any time in jail because Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Iran-backed Hezbollah, does not recognize the authority of the court. The independence, sense of responsibility and dedication of the judges has been widely appreciated who remain underpaid.
The accused include Salim Ayyash, Habib Merhi and Hussein Oneissi. The Special Tribunal of Lebanon (STL) was established at The Hague in the Netherlands in 2009 in line with a UN Security Council resolution. It eventually tried four suspects in absentia, one of whom, Assad Sabra, was acquitted.
Hezbollah has gradually conceited its defeat after having lost in the recent elections. There are therefore evident signs it has reluctantly agreed for a temporary fragile truce. The western world is continuing with efforts to ensure this remains a long term one.
