Judge Michel Halim Abou Arraj
Lebanese judge and former president of the Beirut Criminal CourtA Lebanese judge born in Venezuela with roots in Machghara who held senior judicial posts, including president of the Beirut Criminal Court, and was appointed judicial investigator in the 2005 assassination of former prime minister Rafic Hariri.
Biography
Michel Halim Abou Arraj was born in Venezuela on 2 June 1939 and had roots in Machghara. He entered the Lebanese judiciary on 18 September 1971 and advanced through a number of judicial posts to senior rank within the court system.
He served as president of the Indictment Chamber in Mount Lebanon and later headed the Beirut Criminal Court, where he managed a heavy docket of criminal cases and continuous hearings.
In February 2005 he was appointed judicial investigator in the assassination of former prime minister Rafic Hariri. He began documenting the crime scene and taking the first investigative measures, then stepped down in March because his responsibilities at the Criminal Court prevented him from devoting himself exclusively to the exceptionally large case.
Notable Contributions
Presided over the Indictment Chamber in Mount Lebanon and the Beirut Criminal Court.
Appointed judicial investigator in the 2005 assassination of Rafic Hariri.
Handled a large number of complex criminal cases during his judicial career.