International Court sets date for pronouncing sentence in al-Hariri case

It pointed out that "the punishment will be read during a public session that will be held on Friday, December 11, 2020, starting at ten in the morning CET, and the proceedings of the session will be broadcast live without the usual delay of 30 minutes on the court's website in the three official languages ​​of the Special Court for Lebanon."

It noted that "the Chamber of First Instance decided unanimously, in its judgment dated August 18, 2020, that Mr. Ayyash is guilty in a manner that is not tainted by any reasonable doubt, as an accomplice, regarding the five charges against him in the amended consolidated indictment. These charges are a plot aimed at committing a terrorist act, committing a terrorist act using an explosive device, deliberately killing Mr. al-Hariri with explosive materials, deliberately killing 21 other persons using explosive materials, and attempting to intentionally kill 226 persons using explosive materials.

It also decided that Messrs. Hassen Habib Meri, Hussein Hassen Oneisi, and Assad Hassen Sabra are not guilty in relation to all the charges against them in the amended consolidated indictment.

The circular stated that "following the pronouncement of the verdict on August 18, 2020, the First Instance Chamber received a written memorandum on the punishment from the prosecution on September 1 and notes from the defense side of Ayyash on September 25, 2020. It authorized the legal representatives of those affected to deposit their arguments, deposited it on September 18, 2020. During a session on November 10, the Chamber heard oral arguments presented by the prosecution, defense and legal representatives."

It noted, "The First Instance Chamber will now impose a penalty in relation to every charge against Mr. Ayyash, or impose a single penalty that includes his entire criminal behavior. The penalty imposed on a convicted person can reach life imprisonment."

  It explained that, "Given the Covid-19 pandemic and in line with the directives adopted in the Netherlands, only a limited number of media professionals will be permitted to enter the court's public balcony and media room. Seats will be available on priority access. Media professionals who are unable to attend can follow the procedures via watching the broadcast on the court's website."

D.H