6 May 2003 -- With its decision this morning, the Brussels Appeals Court rejected the request of M. Masset, counsel for the Israelis accused of committing crimes against humanity in the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre, to delay the case until the International Court of Justice renders a decision concerning the case of the Republic of Congo against France, or even until the newly interpreted Belgian Anti-Atrocity (Universal Jurisdiction) Law enters into force.
The Appeals Court also rejected M. Masset's proposal that the prosecution should be represented by the federal prosecutor instead of the general prosecutor from Brussels. The Appeals court stated that neither private parties nor even the court can interfere in the repartition of jurisdiction within the prosecution.
The case against the Israeli and Lebanese accused, with the exception of Ariel Sharon who enjoys temporary immunity from prosecution as long as he is sitting Prime Minister of Israel, is now set for a new hearing on 27 May 2003 in Brussels.
The lawyers representing the survivors of the Sabra and Shatila massacre expect the Appeal Board will confirm the decision of the Cour de Cassation (Belgium's Supreme Court) of 12 February 2003, which is the normal course for any trial following a decision rendered by the highest Court in Belgium.
Chibli Mallat, Michael Verhaeghe, Luc Walleyn, 6 May 2003.
[The Case Against The Accused]
Dr. Laurie King-Irani is North American Coordinator of International Campaign for Justice for the Victims of Sabra & Shatila. For media queries, write to coordinator@indictsharon.net. For website queries, write to webmaster@indictsharon.net.
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