Sayyed Fadlullah received a delegation of the lawyers of the four detained officers.

The Religious Authority Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah received a delegation of the lawyers of the four detained officers that included former Minister Naji Boustani, Akram Azour; the wife of Ali al-Hajj; and former Bar Association president Issam Karam. The delegation discussed with the Sayyed the issue of the continued detention of the officers, confirming that the lack of evidence is in the defendants' interests and requires the judiciary to set them free.

His Eminence emphasized that he was always concerned with this case, pointing out to the "indirect interference" in the Hariri case through the praise the US Foreign Secretary Condoleezza Rice has always made to the Lebanon's judiciary, as if the crime of assassinating Prime Minister Hariri was committed in the United States of America or as if it was her own personal case. He also pointed out that all Lebanese condemn this crime and all those who are behind it, and insist on punishing the criminals whoever they were.

The Sayyed also indicated that the case of the four officers strikes at the very core of the Lebanese judiciary. He added: We wish to see the judiciary as the champion of truth since we know that the continuity of the country and its future stem from the existence of an independent judiciary and the separation of powers.

Consequently, the continued detention of the four officers, if no evidence of their guilt can be presented, represents an injustice that we do not accept nor does any other just power accepts. It also distorts the image of the judiciary. Therefore, we urge the Lebanese state to assume its responsibility and prevent politicians from interfering in the judiciary.

The Sayyed added: The case of the four detained officers does not tolerate any delay. So, if there are evidences of their guilt, they should be prosecuted, but if there is not, they should be set free without delay. Some may talk about the importance of giving the judge a free hand in order to let him play his role in freeing those who are guilty. We also stress that the evidence should be presented, otherwise, the detention should not continue on the basis of illusive evidences.

The Sayyed said: We fear that the issue, as a result of the vacancy in the judiciary positions or in the judiciary movement, might have negative effects on the situation in the country, its image and future. Therefore, at a time we emphasize the independency of the Judiciary, we want it to be just and far away from all pressures and interferences so that the innocent will be acquitted and the criminal will be punished.