Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DAMASCUS3744
2006-07-31 14:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:
SYRIA'S LABWANI APPEARS IN COURT, DEFENSE ASKS FOR
how-toVZCZCXRO5824 OO RUEHAG DE RUEHDM #3744 2121402 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 311402Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0673 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 003744
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR WALLER, LONDON FOR TSOU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL SY
SUBJECT: SYRIA'S LABWANI APPEARS IN COURT, DEFENSE ASKS FOR
U.S. TESTIMONY
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Stephen A. Seche for reasons 1.4 b/d
C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 003744
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR WALLER, LONDON FOR TSOU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL SY
SUBJECT: SYRIA'S LABWANI APPEARS IN COURT, DEFENSE ASKS FOR
U.S. TESTIMONY
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Stephen A. Seche for reasons 1.4 b/d
1. (C) Syrian opposition activist Kamal Labwani appeared in
court July 31, with the criminal court judge granting the
defense team's request to play two televised interviews,
including one with Al-Hurra, in an open court session,
possibly as early as Labwani's next court appearance on
August 23, according to lawyers. The judge also apparently
backed off from his July 25 decision to allow lawyers to have
a complete copy of the Labwani file, ruling that he would
permit the photocopying of documents "as allowed under Syrian
law." Defense lawyers said they were still unable to visit
Labwani privately, with the judge saying that he had no
jurisdiction to prevent "an officer" from attending those
sessions. Attending Labwani's July 31 appearance were U.S.,
UK and Canadian diplomats, some Syrian human rights
activists, and members of the extended Labwani family.
2. (C) After the session, one of Labwani's lawyers, Muhanned
al-Hasani, asked whether U.S. Deputy National Security
Advisor J.D. Crouch and the former U.S. Ambassador to Syria
would be willing to prepare a sworn deposition on behalf of
the Labwani defense, addressing key SARG allegations that
Labwani had called for a U.S. invasion of Syria, as well as
economic pressure on the country. (Note: Labwani is charged
with having contact with a foreign power and encouraging the
foreign power to invade Syria, which could carry the death
sentence.)
SECHE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR WALLER, LONDON FOR TSOU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL SY
SUBJECT: SYRIA'S LABWANI APPEARS IN COURT, DEFENSE ASKS FOR
U.S. TESTIMONY
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Stephen A. Seche for reasons 1.4 b/d
1. (C) Syrian opposition activist Kamal Labwani appeared in
court July 31, with the criminal court judge granting the
defense team's request to play two televised interviews,
including one with Al-Hurra, in an open court session,
possibly as early as Labwani's next court appearance on
August 23, according to lawyers. The judge also apparently
backed off from his July 25 decision to allow lawyers to have
a complete copy of the Labwani file, ruling that he would
permit the photocopying of documents "as allowed under Syrian
law." Defense lawyers said they were still unable to visit
Labwani privately, with the judge saying that he had no
jurisdiction to prevent "an officer" from attending those
sessions. Attending Labwani's July 31 appearance were U.S.,
UK and Canadian diplomats, some Syrian human rights
activists, and members of the extended Labwani family.
2. (C) After the session, one of Labwani's lawyers, Muhanned
al-Hasani, asked whether U.S. Deputy National Security
Advisor J.D. Crouch and the former U.S. Ambassador to Syria
would be willing to prepare a sworn deposition on behalf of
the Labwani defense, addressing key SARG allegations that
Labwani had called for a U.S. invasion of Syria, as well as
economic pressure on the country. (Note: Labwani is charged
with having contact with a foreign power and encouraging the
foreign power to invade Syria, which could carry the death
sentence.)
SECHE