After a two-year hiatus in the 2020 investigation that killed more than 220 people, Lebanese Judge Tarek Bitar resumed his work last week charging 10 people including security, customs and military personnel.
At the time of the explosion, authorities promised a transparent investigation, and results in five days were promised. It’s been over four years since the lead judge in the case has been facing fierce political backlash as he attempts to prosecute some of those believed to be responsible for unsafely storing the chemical at the port.
A source explained to AFP that the judge “will start from the seventh of February next interrogating the defendants” and will hold investigative sessions during March and April with the former defendants, including former ministers, deputies, security and military leaders, judges, employees at the port and administrators.
The judge’s decision to resume his investigation into the blast has brought gladness to the hearts of many families of the victims.
“We were not expecting this at all, we nearly lost hope but we are hoping with the new political changes and developments in place, justice will be achieved and no one will be able to obstruct the process of the investigation and the works of Judge Bitar that has been disrupted several times,” said George Karam who lost his brother in the explosion, speaking to NOW.
The explosion was caused by hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored at the port in poor conditions since it was unloaded in 2013.
Preliminary investigations showed that officials at several levels were aware of the dangers of storing this substance, and did not move a finger.
After the questioning, it is said that Judge Bitar intends to wrap up the investigation and present his results to Lebanon’s Public Prosecution. This important move will pave the way for the formal charges to be filed, moving the case closer to trial.
No more hurdles?
The resumption of the inquiry came after it was halted for two years by political and legal resistance after Hezbollah accused Bitar of bias and demanded his dismissal.
Judge Tarek Bitar’s decision to resume the investigation into the Beirut port explosion marks a critical step toward seeking justice and accountability in a country deeply entrenched in systemic dysfunction.
This move reflects a renewed determination to uncover the truth behind one of Lebanon’s most devastating tragedies and hold those responsible to account, despite the significant obstacles posed by Lebanon’s political corruption.
The victims’ families and relatives say no one is above the law, the wrongdoer has to be charged and judged. “It is our right to know what happened and we want every individual involved to be punished by the law,” said Wael, the brother of Mazen Zwaihed, who died in the Beirut port explosion in his office.
“Some died, some got maimed, some are in wheelchairs until today, we want the truth for them and achieve justice by enforcing the law on those who are responsible,” Wael told NOW.
The Lebanese people say the blast has become a symbol of the rotten political system in their country.
Many hope Judge Bitar won’t encounter any more pushback as this resumption comes with Hezbollah’s weakened influence after a war with Israel.
Documents have surfaced showing that throughout the years, top official politicians, civil servants, and military and security officers knew about the dangerous chemicals and did nothing about it.
This lack of accountability has fostered a culture of impunity in Lebanon. Since March 2023, Lebanese authorities have taken no meaningful steps to restart the domestic investigation free from interference or to ensure the victims’ right to truth, justice, and effective remedies.
Survivors of the explosion and families of the victims have sent two letters to members and observers of the Human Rights Council, asking for support to start an international investigation.
They also sent a letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in March 2022. Similarly, 43 members of the Lebanese Parliament sent letters to the Human Rights Council with the same request.
Families of the victims have in demonstrations spoken out strongly, directly criticizing former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. They have also expressed their anger toward Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, accusing him of playing a role in obstructing the investigation.
Lebanon’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, who previously served as a presiding judge at the International Court of Justice, made a significant pledge to pursue “justice for the victims of the Beirut port blast.”
This commitment comes as Lebanon faces immense challenges in addressing the aftermath of the 2020 explosion, which devastated much of Beirut and left countless victims still awaiting accountability.
William Noun, whose brother Joe Noun lost his life in the August 4 explosion, criticized Hezbollah for prioritizing its support for Palestinians while neglecting the urgent issue of the port tragedy. His remarks drew accusations of “untimely politicization” of the August 4 case. In response, Noun stated, “Speaking out on this issue does not lessen our respect for those who have suffered the consequences of war.”
For Noun and the individuals interviewed in this article, their fight is focused entirely on achieving justice and holding those responsible accountable. While they strive to remain independent from traditional political parties, their cause has drawn support from various groups, including opposition forces whose key members attended the commemoration ceremony, joining their efforts to achieve justice.
Rodayna Raydan is a Lebanese-British journalist. You can follow her on Twitter @Rodayna_462
The views in this story reflect those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of NOW.
