Developments/news
Weeks of August
13-27 August, 2001
Journalist Robert Fisk uncovers Sep.15, 1982 statement by Ariel Sharon
Lawyers Chibli Mallat and Luc Walleyn in Abu Dhabi for case
Sharon's lawyer argues for dismissal of case on procedural grounds
Week of August 6, 2001
Sharon appoints three teams for Case
Week of July 30, 2001
30 July 2001, Lawyers Luc Walleyn and Michael Verhaghe meet investigative judge Patrick Collignon
Sharon's lawyer argues "non
bis in idem"
Response by Sabra and Chatila survivors' lawyers
Wall of silence breaks in the United States, Sharon case front page news across
the world
Nicholas Blanford,
Sharon begins to take war-crimes lawsuit seriously,
Christian Science Monitor, 30 July 2001
Clyde Haberman, Israel Warns
Officials Of Legal Risks Abroad, New York Times and International
Herald Tribune
Full page in Le Monde,
Saturday 28 July, Ariel Sharon face à la justice belge
Mouna Naim,
L'ouverture de la procédure est le fruit de plusieurs années d'enquêtes,
Le Monde, 28 July 2001
Mouna Naim, Au
Nom Du Droit International Humanitaire, Le Monde, 28 July 2001
Catherine Dupeyron,
Ariel Sharon face a la Justice Belge, Le Monde,
28 July 2001
Week of July 23, 2001
Sharon appoints Belgian Lawyer for the
case
Israel warns army, security officials of prosecution danger in Europe
Lawyer Luc Walleyn in Beirut to meet plaintiffs and discuss legal strategy, Belgian Senator Vincent van Quickenborn in Beirut for case.
Weeks of July 9 and July 16,
2001
Attorney Luc Walleyn in Jerusalem, Cairo and Beirut for case;
Attorneys Michael Verhaeghe and
Chibli Mallat in Paris, London and New Haven for case.
Belgian government announces
postponement of plans to change the universal jurisdiction law
PM Sharon enlarges legal team for
the Belgium case,
Ben-Zion Citrin, Ha'aretz, 19 July 2001|
Week of 2 July 2001
Belgian Consulate in capital stoned , Jerusalem Post, 6 July 2001 (Edgar Lefkofitz)
Minister Elie Hobeika announces he wishes to go to Belgium to clear his name. (DOSSIER)
Peres snipes at Belgians over 'Sharon case', Jerusalem Post, 3 July 2001 (Herb Keinon and Reuters)
Week of 25 June 2001
30 June Public prosecutor declares complaint against Sharon
"admissible". PM Sharon's office announces he will not go to Belgium on
his European tour.
Aluf Benn and Gideon Alon, Sharon to bypass Brussels on
visit to Europe, Ha'aretz, 2 July 2001
Prime Minister Sharon was received by President George Bush. Demonstrations were held outside the White House, calling for the indictment of Mr Sharon.
Address of Plaintiff Souad Srour Merhi, with Lawyer Michael Verhaeghe, to the Foreign
Affairs Committee of the Netherlands Parliament. Souad Srour Merhi is heard by the juge d'instruction Patrick Collignon, for
one hour and a half.
Early Motion by John Austin MP, congratulating the BBC
for "The accused", and calling
for Ariel Sharon to be tried for war crimes
Week of 18 June 2001
23 June 2001: Human Rights Watch support criminal investigation against Sharon
19 June 2001: Judge Patrick Collignon appointed Juge d'Instruction in the Complaint against Sharon et al.
18 June 2001: 9.30 a.m. Complaint against Sharon filed before Judge Sophie Huguet