BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday (Aug 4) vowed justice and accountability 5 years after the catastrophic Beirut port explosion, because the investigating decide concluded questioning key defendants, a judicial official stated.
No person has been held accountable for the Aug 4, 2020 blast, one of many world’s largest non-nuclear explosions, which devastated a lot of the Lebanese capital, killing greater than 220 folks and injuring over 6,500.
Authorities say the explosion was triggered by a hearth in a warehouse the place tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser had been saved for years, regardless of repeated warnings to senior officers.
Decide Tarek Bitar resumed his investigation earlier this 12 months, after an influence shift following the Israel-Hezbollah conflict that weakened the Iran-backed militant group. Hezbollah had beforehand led efforts to take away Bitar from the case.
Aoun stated the Lebanese state “is dedicated to uncovering the entire fact, irrespective of the obstacles or how excessive the positions” concerned.
“The regulation applies to all, with out exception,” he stated in an announcement.
Monday was declared a nationwide day of mourning. Rallies demanding justice have been deliberate later within the day, converging on the port.
INVESTIGATION MOVES AHEAD
Bitar has now completed questioning defendants and suspects, a judicial official instructed AFP, talking on situation of anonymity. These questioned embody former prime minister Hassan Diab, in addition to a number of navy and safety officers.
Some former ministers refused to look for questioning, the official added.
Bitar is awaiting responses to requests despatched to a number of Arab and European nations for info on associated incidents. As soon as obtained, he’ll finalise the investigation and ship the file to the general public prosecution earlier than issuing an indictment.
President Aoun stated, “We’re working with all obtainable means to make sure the investigations are accomplished with transparency and integrity.”
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, a former Worldwide Court docket of Justice decide who took workplace earlier this 12 months, referred to as the investigation a matter of nationwide significance, denouncing a legacy of official impunity.
Regardless of the size of the tragedy, nobody is at the moment in custody over the case.
