UN-backed independent Lebanon Tribunal established to prosecute suspects in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri announced today that it will try 4 men in absentia who are accused of executing the killing. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) said its trial chamber had taken the step after examining documents from the STL prosecutor and from Lebanese prosecutors which outline the efforts of Lebanese authorities to apprehend the accused and inform them about the proceedings. Salim Jamil Ayyash, Mustafa Amine Badreddine, Hussein Hassan Oneissi and Assad Hassan Sabra, all Lebanese nationals, have been indicted over the massive car bombing in central Beirut that killed Mr. Hariri and 22 others on 14 February 2005.The indictment charges all four men with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act. The indictment charges all four men with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act. Mr. Ayyash and Mr. Badreddine are also charged with committing a terrorist act by means of an explosive device, intentional homicide with premeditation, and attempted intentional homicide. Trial in Absentia – “Last Resort” In its statement today the STL noted the multiple attempts by Lebanese authorities to find the accused men at their last known residences, places of employment and other locations. The court said the trial chamber had also considered “the fact that the indictment and the identities of the accused received massive publicity in Lebanon.” The trial chamber therefore concluded that all reasonable efforts had been taken to ensure that the accused appeared in court and were notified of the charges they face. The STL underlined that prosecuting accused persons in their absence was “a measure of last resort to ensure that the pursuit of justice is not paralyzed by those who choose to abscond.” Link to UN-Lebanon Tribunal - www.stl-tsl.org/ By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey – Twitter @MuhamedSacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX More Film Reports: - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/war-crimes-justice Tribunal Photo of 4 Accussed