UN Closes Tribunal Investigating 2005 Assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri

The UN has closed the international tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, finding three members of Hezbollah guilty in absentia.

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has officially closed the international tribunal established to investigate the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005, as announced by the UN chief's spokesperson on Sunday.

Special Tribunal for Lebanon's Findings

Over the years, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon conducted in absentia proceedings and determined the guilt of three members of the militant Hezbollah group in connection with Hariri's death, which occurred in a massive truck bombing on February 14, 2005. The tribunal, based in The Hague, Netherlands, sentenced the three individuals—Salim Jamil Ayyash, Hassan Habib Merhi, and Hussein Hassan Oneissi—to five concurrent life sentences.

Hezbollah's Denial and Refusal

Hezbollah officials have consistently denied any involvement of their members in the suicide attack and have refused to engage with the tribunal. The bombing tragically claimed the lives of Hariri and 21 others, while injuring 226 individuals.

Trial Judges' Findings

The trial judges emphasized the absence of evidence implicating Hezbollah's leadership or Syria in the attack. However, they noted that the assassination occurred during a period when Hariri and his political allies were considering calling for Syria's withdrawal of forces from Lebanon.

Establishment and Jurisdiction of the Tribunal

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric explained in a statement that the Special Tribunal was established following the adoption of a 2007 Security Council resolution to prosecute those responsible for the attack. The tribunal's jurisdiction also encompassed other attacks judicially determined to be "connected" to Hariri's assassination.

Completion of Non-Judicial Functions and Closure

At the beginning of 2023, Guterres extended the panel's mandate until December 31, 2023, with the specific purpose of completing the non-judicial residual functions and ensuring the orderly closure of the Special Tribunal. On Sunday, the secretary-general confirmed that these tasks had been accomplished, leading to the tribunal's shutdown.

Appreciation for Dedication and Support

Dujarric conveyed the secretary-general's profound appreciation for the dedication and hard work of the judges and staff at the Special Tribunal throughout the years. Guterres also expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Lebanese government, the government of the Netherlands as the host state, and the member states that participated in the tribunal's management committee.