Grieving sibling queries about justice following the Beirut port catastrophe, taking the life of their brother.
The investigation into the 2020 Beirut port explosion, one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history, is nearing its conclusion but continues to face significant challenges. Led by Judge Tarek Bitar, the probe has been marred by political resistance, lawsuits by senior officials, and jurisdictional disputes aimed at blocking his ability to interrogate key figures implicated in the blast.
Judge Bitar, who took over the investigation in early 2021, has accused prominent former officials, including former ministers, of criminal negligence and intentional killing related to the explosion. However, many have invoked parliamentary immunity, refused to appear for hearings, or filed complaints seeking his removal, slowing the investigation. Lebanon’s top court even suspended some arrest warrants issued by Bitar in early 2024.
The ammonium nitrate that caused the explosion was stocked illegally under the supervision of high-level security officials and with the full knowledge of five different security agencies, despite the danger it posed and in violation of Lebanese law. This suggests a deep level of corruption within the country's institutions.
Political interference and institutional corruption have been a persistent theme hampering the investigation’s progress. Families of the victims and civil society groups continue to call for justice and a national memorial to keep the memory of the tragedy alive.
The newly appointed Justice Minister Adel Nassar and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, a former International Court of Justice judge, have emphasized that accountability for the blast remains a key government priority. Nassar stated recently that the probe is approaching its final stage but stressed the importance that Bitar complete his work with sufficient evidence before final decisions are made.
Despite the obstacles, Judge Bitar has persisted, completing all interrogations in the case, including former prime minister Hassan Diab, politicians, judges, and senior security officials. However, the investigation has been complicated by disputes over the proper jurisdiction to try the accused and the release or continued detention of individuals, which lies with the investigating judge, not the public prosecutor, under Lebanese law.
As of July 21, Judge Bitar is awaiting responses to several judicial requests that were sent abroad. The people of Lebanon are waiting for truth and accountability, as many Lebanese families have emigrated after the explosion, especially after witnessing the country's political class handle the investigation with disregard for justice and open threats to the judiciary.
Despite pledges from Lebanon's new government and president to ensure justice in the Beirut port explosion case, Judge Ghassan Oweidat, a senior official, has charged Judge Tarek Bitar with "usurping power", summoning him for questioning and imposing a travel ban on him. This move, along with the release of all 17 detainees connected to the explosion, has raised concerns about the commitment to accountability and justice.
In summary, Judge Tarek Bitar remains central to the Beirut port explosion investigation, pushing forward despite sustained legal and political obstacles. The probe is reportedly close to concluding as of August 2025, yet final accountability is still pending amid Lebanon’s complex political landscape.
- The Iran-Lebanon relationship has been a topic of interest given the ongoing investigation into the Beirut port explosion, a world-class tragedy that has faced numerous challenges in its pursuit for justice.
- The video footage of the Beirut port explosion has been widely circulated, providing a haunting reminder of the magnitude of the disaster and the general-news coverage it received around the world.
- In the wake of the Beirut port explosion, various opinions on Lebanon's politics and institutional corruption have surfaced, with many calling for travel restrictions on high-ranking officials implicated in the crime-and-justice scandal.
- Lebanon's news outlets have been providing comprehensive analysis on the Beirut port explosion, offering insight into the complex web of political influence and corruption that seems to have exacerbated the tragedy.
- As the investigation into the Beirut port explosion nears its conclusion, questions about justice and accountability continue to dominate the Travel section of news articles, echoing the sentiments of many Lebanese emigrants who have chosen to leave their homeland following the disaster.
