- Anna Foster
- BBC – News
The devastating explosion on August 4, 2020 was caused by chemicals stored unsafely at the port
The investigating judge in the Beirut port explosion, which occurred in 2020, has indicted more prominent figures as part of his investigation.
Despite being suspended for 13 months amid legal challenges, Judge Tareq Bitar unexpectedly said on Monday that he believed he could resume his investigations.
More than 200 people were killed when ammonium nitrate, which was stored unsafely in a port warehouse, ignited. The explosion destroyed a large area of the Lebanese capital.
There is no official confirmation of the identities of those charged, or details of the indictments they may face.
Instead, lists of names and possible dates for interrogation sessions are being circulated to local journalists, apparently leaked by judicial sources.
Others have been summoned in the past, such as Hassan Diab, who was the prime minister at the time of the blast. He has not yet appeared before a judge.
All those previously involved in the investigation deny any involvement in the incident, and accuse Judge Bitar of politicizing the file.
Judge Bitar also apparently ordered the release of five men arrested after the blast, including port officials and maintenance workers.
Thousands of people injured in the disaster and the families of the victims faced a long battle in their search for justice.
They have held regular vigils in Beirut over the past two and a half years.
In recent days, they have demonstrated again outside the Lebanese Parliament in an attempt to restart the official investigation.
No one has yet appeared in court in connection with the case. The investigation has run into problems since its inception.
He replaced the first judge assigned to the case. In response, several politicians accused by his successor, Judge Bitar, filed legal complaints against him.
This led to a halt in the investigation, which led to frustration among the families of the victims.
Attempts have been made to completely remove Judge Bitar from managing the investigation, but despite the Supreme Judicial Council’s agreement to appoint another new judge to take charge instead, Bitar continues in his position.
On Tuesday, the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation sent a letter to Judge Bitar informing him that his investigations are still pending and that no decision has yet been taken regarding his dismissal from office.
image copyright EPA
The investigation has encountered delays, keeping the families and survivors far from knowing the truth
The families have welcomed the return of interest in the investigation, but some remain skeptical that it will yield any results.
Hiyam Kaadan’s son, Ahmed, was killed in the blast as he was delivering a birthday cake. Hayam rushed to the scene in the aftermath, and found him lying in a pool of blood.
“We were surprised and pleased to know that Judge Bitar has resumed the investigation and that those responsible for the August 4 explosion will be held accountable,” she told the BBC.
“We believe in Judge Bitar, and we hope he will be allowed to continue without obstacles and summon all whom he named.”
