THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A U.N.-backed court based in the Netherlands has filed new charges including terrorism and intentional homicide against a Hezbollah fighter who also is accused of assassinating former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon on Monday announced that a judge has confirmed a new five-count indictment accusing Salim Jamil Ayyash of three bombings targeting Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005. The court also issued a Lebanese and an international arrest warrant for Ayyash, whose whereabouts are not known.
He was one of four Hezbollah fighters tried in absentia by the tribunal for allegedly masterminding the truck bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others and injured more than 220 passers-by on Feb. 14, 2005. Judges have not yet reached verdicts.
Hezbollah denies involvement in Hariri’s assassination.
The Associated Press
