31.   The couple, who freely granted interviews to Japanese TV news programs prior to their arrest, have repeatedly asserted their innocence.

32.   With practiced calm, he asserts his innocence and tries to depict the mob turncoats as opportunists seeking revenge for his efforts to stamp out the mob.

33.   Balanian on Monday denied the accusation put forward by the Lebanese judge, and said he will provide documents asserting his innocence.

34.   Bassam has repeatedly asserted his innocence, and testimony has been contradictory or inconsistent.

35.   Before his death on Thursday, Hobeika had asserted his innocence against the charges brought by the Kahane commission.