Syrian sought over Hariri killing asserts innocence

A former intelligence officer who may be a key witness in the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister appears in court for the first time since his arrest in Sharjah.

ABU DHABI // A former Syrian intelligence officer who may be a key witness in the 2005 assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri appeared in the Federal Supreme Court yesterday for the first time since his arrest in Sharjah last April.

MZS, who has been held on State Security authority ever since, appeared in open court yesterday accused of "entering the UAE on false documents". It was the first confirmation that he is being held in the UAE and came months after his arrest was widely reported in the international media. In October 2005, Lebanese prosecutors charged MZS in absentia with murder in connection with the assassination of Mr Hariri and 21 others in a car bombing in February that year.

The incident fuelled tensions between Lebanon and Syria, eventually compelling Damascus that same year to withdraw its troops, which had entered its smaller neighbour in 1976 during the civil war and had stayed on after it ended 14 years later. It also led to the creation of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon by the UN to investigate and prosecute the killing. Lebanese prosecutors issued an international arrest warrant for MZS and he was picked up days later in Paris, but on different charges of providing false information to the tribunal investigators.

In an interview with a Kuwaiti newspaper, MZS was reported as saying he had testified to the UN investigators that Syria had played a major role in Mr Hariri's death. After the killing, he had fled to France. Justice Khalifa al Muhairi yesterday highlighted the point that MZS was "a key witness to the assassination of Rafik Hariri". "You are wanted in Lebanon in connection with the assassination. Do you know that?" Justice al Muhairi asked him. MZS said he was innocent. "All I want is a fair trial. I beg you, either release me or execute me," he said.

"I was released by France because I am an innocent man," he said. Although Lebanon had sought his extradition, France denied it on the grounds that he could be subject to the death penalty. He was released in 2006 and continued to live in France until March 2008, when he came to the UAE. The State Security Public Prosecution has accused MZS of entering the UAE in March 2008 using false documents. He is also accused of possessing fraudulent French identification papers. It is not known if the document referred to in the charge is his passport.

Since his arrest was first reported in April, both Lebanon and Syria have sought his extradition. His trial, however, continues in the UAE. MZS told the judge that he had been held in solitary confinement. "I am treated like a dog. I am not allowed to make phone calls. I am not allowed to speak to a lawyer. I am not even allowed to pray," he shouted. He was restrained by guards from approaching the judge.

His wife, son and daughter attended the hearing. "I did not enter this country illegally. I had a valid French passport," MZS protested. He was escorted by a member of State Security outside the courtroom while shouting: "Someone please contact the human right authorities." He sat on the floor in protest against the guards shackling him. [e-mail]