Former Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab and two former ministers have been accused by Lebanese judge Tariq Al-Bitar for “killing with probable intent,” during the Beirut port explosion of 2020, which claimed the lives of over 220 civilians and injured thousands.
The explosion took place on August 4.
Along with the accused, Lebanese public prosecutor, Judge Ghassan Oweidat, and three other judges were also charged in connection with the tragic explosion, however the charges were not specified.
A Lebanese judicial official had reported that Al-Bitar had resumed his investigation on Monday, despite the constant political pressure against him.
Al-Bitar reportedly ordered the release of five detainees and resumed his work on Monday.
Among those released were workers and contractors who were working in the port before its explosion on August 4, 2020.
According to a report by Reuters, Bitar’s previous efforts to interrogate top officials over the explosion that killed 220 people and shattered parts of Beirut have been hindered by factions including the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah.
In addition Al-Bitar also brought charges against Major General Abbas Ibrahim, Director General of Public Security, and Major General Tony Saliba, Director General of State Security, in connection with the explosion, in addition to former army commander Jean Kahwaji, according to judicial officials.
The charges were not specified by the officials.
Interrogations for 15 people are scheduled in February, including senior security officials, Oweidat, two former ministers, and Diab.
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