STL Pre-Trial Judge Orders Immediate Release of 4 Generals

 
29-4-2009

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) has decided that the four Lebanese General be released, after nearly four years of detention over the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri yet without charges or trial.

Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Francine ordered in a press conference the immediate release of the Generals. Francine has taken his decision Wednesday based on Judge Daniel Bellemare's recommendation presented to the STL on Monday.

Shortly after the announcement, people took to the streets spontaneously to express their satisfaction and joy, and fireworks lit the sky of Lebanon.

Well informed judicial sources have told Al-Manar that procedure are underway to release the officers today as an STL representatives arrive in Beirut to follow-up on General Prosecutor Judge Daniel Bellemare's decision on four generals' case.

The officers are the former head of the presidential guard, Mustafa Hamdan, Security Services Director Jamil Sayyed, Domestic Security chief Ali Hajj and Military Intelligence chief Raymond Azar.

The court ruling was broadcast live on Lebanese television.