Lebanese lawyers file complaint against Nasrallah and Netanyahu over Beirut port explosion

BEIRUT — In the wake of the catastrophic warehouse explosion ripped through the port of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, killing at least 171 people, injuring approximately 7,000 others, and causing billions of euros in damage, independent Lebanese lawyers have filed a complaint with the Public Prosecution Office against Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

While the material that detonated causing the massive explosion is believed to have been caused by 2,750 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate stored in the port after it was seized from a ship in 2013, the original fire was caused by warehouse workers welding a door in need of repair, according to the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International,

Four independent Lebanese lawyers filed the complaint, blaming both Nasrallah and Netanyahu for the explosion.

“The complaint against Nasrallah includes causing the explosion and smuggling weapons through the port of Beirut as well as through legal and illegal border crossings,” head of the initiative, lawyer Tariq Shandab stated. Shandab describing these acts as crimes that undermine the authority of the state and threaten civil peace. He called for an investigation into the smuggling and applying the most severe penalties stipulated in the Lebanese Penal Code.

Shandab indicated the complaint against Netanyahu was based on news published by Haaretz Hebrew Newspaper after the explosion, regarding an Israeli bombing of Beirut port targeting Hezbollah weapons.

The complaint cites the testimony of several citizens who reportedly heard aircraft overhead at the time of the explosion.

Despite several reports of having heard aircraft overhead, no photographic or video evidence has emerged to confirm any aircraft were overhead.

Shandab demanded that the complaint be referred to forensic investigators tasked with investigating the port explosion.