Arabs reject Syria’s arrest warrants

Achraf Rifi , Director General of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) said on Wednesday that the delegates of 16 Arab countries participating in Interpol’s 79th General Assembly in Qatar rejected the Syrian arrest warrants issued in the case of former Lebanese General Security chief Jamil as-Sayyed.

In December 2009, Sayyed filed a lawsuit in Damascus against various defendants whom he alleges were involved in a conspiracy of false testimonies against him.

Last month the Syrian judiciary issued 33 arrest warrants for judges, officers, politicians and journalists of Lebanese, Arab and other nationalities in the case brought by Sayyed.

Riffi also told AFP that the Arab delegates do not recognize the authority of the Syrian judiciary to issue arrest warrants against Lebanese and foreigners who committed crimes that did not occur on Syrian territory and stressed that the warrants interfere with Lebanon’s sovereignty.Sayyed and 3 other generals were detained from 2005 to 2009 on suspicion of involvement in former PM Rafik Hariri’s murder. In April 2009, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL ) ordered their release without charges due to insufficient evidence. STL prosecutor made it clear at the time they were set free that their release did not mean they are Innocent and that once more evidence is available they could be back in jail.

Secretary General of the Arab Interior Ministers Council Mohammad bin Ali Koman also said Monday that “our organization has taken all the required procedures to reject and not circulate” the Syrian arrest warrants issued in the case of Sayyed.