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Hariri tribunal prosecutor angered by leaks

THE HAGUE — The prosecutor of the tribunal set up to try the killers of Lebanon’s ex-premier Rafiq Hariri, has expressed concern at the broadcast on Lebanese TV of secret investigative material.

Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare “is exploring all possible avenues, in The Hague and in Lebanon, to determine how this confidential information came into the public domain and to prevent any further unauthorized disclosure,” his office said in a statement posted on the tribunal’s website.

The prosecutor, who on Monday filed a sealed indictment in his probe of Hariri’s death, said the broadcasts on some Lebanese TV channels appeared to be of interviews conducted by members of the UN investigation team led by him.

“This material is confidential and protected information and was made public in breach of the law,” his office said.

“The Prosecutor strongly condemns the disclosure of this confidential information and gives his assurance that his office will continue to spare no effort in the pursuit of justice.”

A tape aired last Sunday by New TV, which is close to Hezbollah, showed caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri informing a UN investigator that Syria was behind the massive car bomb that killed his father and 22 others on the Beirut seafront on February 14, 2005.

Fears of sectarian violence have been renewed in Lebanon since Bellemare submitted his indictment, widely believed to implicate Hezbollah in Hariri’s murder, to a pre-trial judge who must confirm the charges before arrest warrants can be issued.