“Try them all” – can Lebanese politicians be tried at the International Criminal Court?

BEIRUT: Few days following a nuclear-like explosion in Beirut, Lebanese citizens have returned to the streets demanding accountability. Clashes between protestors and riot police have turned extremely violent as the political class fears its annihilation. Countless Lebanese people have filled social media with a new demand this time: an independent international investigation of the explosion, and a trial at the International Criminal Court for the perpetrators.

BEIRUT: Few days following a nuclear-like explosion in Beirut, Lebanese citizens have returned to the streets demanding accountability. Clashes between protestors and riot police have turned extremely violent as the political class fears its annihilation. Countless Lebanese people have filled social media with a new demand this time: an independent international investigation of the explosion, and a trial at the International Criminal Court for the perpetrators.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon

Lebanon has had a long history of conflict and politically motivated foreign intervention. Such is the case with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) where politics and law intertwine. This international court has its origins in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Al-Hariri on February 14th, 2005. That was an era of political instability. The assassination of our former PM not only shook our world but the international world as well.

Lebanon has had a long history of conflict and politically motivated foreign intervention. Such is the case with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) where politics and law intertwine. This international court has its origins in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Al-Hariri on February 14th, 2005. That was an era of political instability. The assassination of our former PM not only shook our world but the international world as well.