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Special Tribunal Moves Toward Trial In Absentia

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Sir David Baragwanath, President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, said that a trial in absentia for the accused killers of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri could be the best outcome.
New Zealand's Judge Sir David Baragwanath, President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon listens to Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati during their meeting at the government palace in Beirut, November 23, 2011. REUTERS/ Mohamed Azakir   (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS)

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Sir David Baragwanath, President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, said that a trial in absentia for the four suspects in the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, scheduled for March 25, 2013, may be the best outcome for Lebanon.

It is the first time since the Nuremburg trial of Nazi war criminals after World War II that an international court would conduct an “in absentia” trial.

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