17/01/2025

Judge Tarek Bitar resumes Beirut Port explosion investigation, files charges against senior officials

BEIRUT — Amid Lebanon’s shifting political landscape, marked by the election of a new president, the appointment of a prime minister-designate, and the declining influence of Hezbollah, Judge Tarek Bitar has resumed his investigation into the 2020 Beirut Port explosion. After a two-year impasse, Bitar has filed charges against ten individuals, including high-ranking military and security officials.

Charges Against Key Officials

On Tuesday, Judge Bitar reignited the legal proceedings by charging three port employees and seven senior officers from the Army, General Security, and Customs Directorate, according to judicial sources. Interrogations of the accused are set to begin on 7 February, with further hearings planned for March and April. These sessions will also revisit previously charged individuals, including former ministers, lawmakers, and port officials.

Following the interrogations, Bitar plans to conclude the investigation and submit his findings to Lebanon’s Public Prosecution. This critical step will set the stage for issuing formal indictments, advancing the case toward trial.

The Explosion That Shook Lebanon

The catastrophic explosion on 4 August 2020, killed over 220 people, injured more than 6,500, and caused widespread destruction in Beirut. The blast, triggered by the improper storage of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, became a tragic emblem of government neglect and corruption.

Judge Bitar’s probe had been stalled since 2021 due to political pressure and legal challenges from powerful factions, including Hezbollah, which sought his removal. His return to the case signals renewed efforts to achieve accountability in a nation plagued by systemic dysfunction.

As Lebanon faces ongoing political and economic crises, the resumption of the Beirut Port explosion investigation brings hope to victims’ families and a nation yearning for justice. With the judiciary under scrutiny, the world watches as Lebanon strives to turn the page on one of its darkest chapters.