The Pre-Trial Judge of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) or the Hariri Tribunal issued a scheduling order yesterday setting 16 June 2021 as a tentative date for the start of trial in the Ayyash case.

The decision provides the Parties and the Legal Representatives of Victims with a starting date while they continue preparing for trial. The Pre-Trial Judge issued his decision after consulting with the Prosecution, Defence, Legal Representatives of Victims, Presiding Judge of Trial Chamber II, Registrar and President of the STL.

According to the Rules of Procedure and Evidence (RPEs) of the Tribunal, the Pre-Trial Judge is required to set a tentative date for the start of trial.

In the meantime, the pre-trial phase will continue and the Pre-Trial Judge will actively carry on his mandate by taking necessary measures to prepare for a fair and expeditious trial. After the completion of the pre-trial phase, the Pre-Trial Judge will transfer the case to Trial Chamber II, which sets the final date for the trial.