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Judge Tarek al-Bitar, in charge of the investigation into the Beirut port explosion, announced this Thursday that he would begin scheduling interrogation sessions for several political figures and security officials involved in this affair. This decision marks a new stage in an investigation marked by legal obstacles and political tensions.
Decision delayed but not abandoned
According to the channel al-Jadeedthe relaunch of the interrogations was decided on September 18, 2023, but was delayed due to the Israeli aggression that occurred during this period. Al-Jadeed also clarified that this measure is not linked to recent political changes in Lebanon. Judicial sources cited by the media believe that the suspects could refuse to appear for interrogation sessions, a situation which contributes to an atmosphere of confusion at the Beirut courthouse.
Conflicts between judges and institutional blockages
A recent report revealed that a meeting was held a few days ago at the office of the President of the High Council of the Judiciary, Judge Suheil Abboud. This meeting brought together Judge Tarek al-Bitar and Attorney General Jamal al-Hajjar to discuss the terms of summoning the suspects. However, no consensus was reached, with both sides maintaining their respective positions. Judge al-Bitar made the decision to rely on court clerks to send the summons, thereby bypassing the security agencies, which are under the authority of Attorney General Hajjar. This approach highlights the institutional tensions which continue to hamper the smooth running of the investigation.
List of personalities summoned
Among the suspects summoned are several high-level political figures and security officials, including Gracia Azzi, former member of the High Customs Council, Hassan Diab, former Prime Minister, Nouhad al-Machnuq, former minister, Abbas Ibrahim, former head of the General Security, Ghazi Zoaiter, former minister, Tony Saliba, head of State Security, Ghassan Oueidat, former state prosecutor, and Ghassan Khoury, deputy attorney general. However, Attorney General Jamal al-Hajjar refused to collaborate with Judge Bitar, citing a complaint for “usurpation of power” filed against the latter by Ghassan Oueidat. This opposition has already led to the suspension of interrogations in June 2023, due to lack of cooperation from the prosecutor’s office.
-Accusations of usurpation of power
Judge Bitar faces accusations of usurpation of power, which he considers a major obstacle to the progress of the investigation. He said these accusations must be resolved quickly: “If these accusations are proven, I must be held accountable. Otherwise, I must continue the investigation,” he said last June. This situation reflects a deep crisis within the Lebanese justice system, where political tensions regularly interfere with legal proceedings. The opposition between Judge Bitar and the institutions under the supervision of the Attorney General illustrates these structural blockages.
A tragedy still without justice
The Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020, remains one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. It caused the death of more than 215 people, injured more than 6,500 others, and devastated entire neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital. The explosion was blamed on a fire in a warehouse where thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate had been carelessly stored for years. Despite promises of justice, the investigation is progressing slowly, hampered by political pressure and institutional shortcomings.
The urgency of effective justice
While Lebanese and international public opinion continues to demand answers, the inability of judicial institutions to move forward effectively in this investigation fuels frustration. The families of the victims, as well as civil society organizations, denounce the political interference which slows down the quest for justice. The return of interrogations scheduled by Judge al-Bitar represents hope for relaunching the investigation. However, without cooperation from relevant judicial institutions and officials, the search for truth and accountability could remain elusive.
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