Judge Tariq Bitar, who is leading the investigation into the deadly explosion that occurred in the port of Beirut in August 2020, has charged Hassan Diab, then Lebanese Prime Minister, with murder.
Also accused of the murder are two former ministers, Attorney General Gasan Uwaydat, head of counterintelligence, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, heads of several other special services. Interrogations of key suspects are scheduled for February 15.
State prosecutors say Bitar does not have the authority to bring charges. The Shiite group Hezbollah also opposes the continuation of the investigation.
Recall: on August 4, 2020, 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in the port. At least 218 people were killed, entire neighborhoods were razed to the ground, and hundreds of thousands of buildings were damaged. It became one of the most powerful conventional explosions in history.