(HAGUE) — The UN-backed tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri found Lebanese journalist Karma Khayat, deputy head of news and political programs at Al-Jadeed TV, guilty of contempt of court.
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon acquitted Khayat on a more serious charge of interfering with the course of justice by publishing witness material linked to the case. STL had ordered Khayat to remove videos from Al-Jadeed’s website and YouTube channel.
Khayat, who accuses the court of obstructing freedom of the press, will be sentenced on Sept. 28 for ignoring the court order. She could face a fine of 100,000 euros and seven years in prison.
Al-Jadeed was acquitted of corporate liability on both counts. The TV stations used blurred faces and disguised voices in the 2012 broadcasts.
“Al-Jadeed used professional standards,” Khayat said. “If the tribunal’s aim or goal was to put a stop to Al-Jadeed’s investigative reporting on the tribunal, I can assure (you) that we will not stop.”
Prosecutors said the reports undermined the tribunal by exposing witnesses to possible retaliation and discouraging them from offering evidence to the court.
Judge Nicola Lettieri said that there was no evidence that identifying the witnesses had undermined public confidence in the tribunal, but said Khayat should have taken the material down when ordered to do so.
“The individuals who testified stated that they had been afraid … after the airing of the episodes,” he said.
Defense attorney Karim Khan said Khayat would appeal against her conviction.