This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8024463.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Hariri suspects' release ordered | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Four Lebanese generals held over the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri should be freed, a UN tribunal has ruled. | |
They have been held without charge in Lebanon for four years - but were recently transferred to UN custody. | They have been held without charge in Lebanon for four years - but were recently transferred to UN custody. |
The decision was eagerly awaited in Lebanon and it was due to be broadcast live on television in the country. | |
The UN court was set up to try those suspected of being behind the blast which killed Mr Hariri in 2005. | |
Another 22 people also died in the explosion. | |
Syria link | |
The four men in custody were pro-Syrian generals who all held senior positions in the country's security infrastructure. | The four men in custody were pro-Syrian generals who all held senior positions in the country's security infrastructure. |
They were suspected of planning the assassination and carrying out terrorist acts. | |
They are former head of General Security Maj Gen Jamil al-Sayyad, former chief of police Maj Gen Ali Hajj, former military intelligence chief Brig Gen Raymond Azar and Republican Guard commander Mustafa Hamdan. | They are former head of General Security Maj Gen Jamil al-Sayyad, former chief of police Maj Gen Ali Hajj, former military intelligence chief Brig Gen Raymond Azar and Republican Guard commander Mustafa Hamdan. |
The court's Canadian prosecutor, Daniel Bellemare, handed his recommendation on the generals' fate to the court on Monday but his submission has not been made public. | The court's Canadian prosecutor, Daniel Bellemare, handed his recommendation on the generals' fate to the court on Monday but his submission has not been made public. |
Prosecutors were challenged earlier this month by Belgian pre-trial judge Daniel Fransen to justify their continued detention. | |
Although the tribunal has decided to free the generals, they can still be indicted at a later stage. | |
There is widespread suspicion inside and outside Lebanon that Syria was involved in Mr Hariri's killing, though Damascus strongly denies this. | |
The assassination prompted massive demonstrations, which led to an end of decades of Syrian control over Lebanon. | The assassination prompted massive demonstrations, which led to an end of decades of Syrian control over Lebanon. |