Leidschendam, NETHERLANDS (Reuters) - The chief defendant in the trial of four Hezbollah members charged with conspiracy to kill former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri was a member of the Iran-backed Shi’ite Muslim group, and used a cell phone identified by prosecutors as critical in the attack, a judge said on Tuesday.
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is “satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt” that the evidence showed that Merhi Ayyash used the phone, Judge Micheline Braidy said, reading a summary of the 2,600-page verdict.
“The evidence also established that Mr. Ayyash had affiliation with Hezbollah,” Braidy said. Ayyash faces charges of committing a terrorist attack and homicide, among others.
The Tribunal is reading the verdict in the trial. The judges have not yet ruled on Ayyash’s guilt or innocence.
Hariri tribunal judge: Defendant Ayyash was Hezbollah member, used phone linked to attack
5 years ago
