Riachi Formally Declared Vice President of International Tribunal
Lebanese Judge Ralph Riachi has been officially appointed vice president of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, it said in a statement Friday.
"Judge Ralph Jacque Riachi has been acting as vice president on a full time basis since June 8, 2009," the STL said.
Riachi served as head of the criminal court of cassation in Lebanon from December until June 2009.
The STL”s head, Antonio Cassese, described Riachi”s expertise in the Lebanese legal system as "invaluable and even crucial for the success of our work."
The U.N. Security Council created the tribunal in 2007 — at the request of Lebanon — to find and prosecute those responsible for the 2005 assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri.
The tribunal has no suspects in custody since ordering the release in April of four pro-Syrian generals held by Lebanon for nearly four years without charge.