Three years after the deadly explosion at the port of Beirut, families are waiting for answers and culprits. But since this terrible August 4, 2020, political pressures have hindered the course of justice, leaving little hope of one day getting to the truth about this tragedy and judging those responsible.
As a reminder, on August 4, 2020, at 6:07 p.m., one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history devastated entire neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital, killing more than 220 people and injuring more than 6,500. The explosion was caused by a fire in a warehouse where tons of ammonium nitrate were stored carelessly, despite repeated warnings to officials. The collective of the families of the victims, who are fighting tirelessly to demand justice, called on the Lebanese to come dressed in black to take part in a demonstration in the afternoon, which must go to the port.
“Justice is obstructed and the truth is concealed”
“It is a day of mourning and protest against the Lebanese state which politicizes our cause and interferes in the process of justice,” said Rima Zahed, who lost her brother Amine, a port employee. “Three years after the explosion, justice is obstructed and the truth is concealed (…) None of the wanted people are in prison anymore,” she added.
The Lebanese authorities refused an international investigation, demanded by the families of the victims, and are accused of having hindered the local investigation, in a country in full economic collapse and where political divisions affect the judicial system. ” We are tired. We have been unable to do anything to hold these criminals to account,” adds Rima Zahed.
The independence of the judiciary undermined
A first judge in charge of the investigation in 2020 had to throw in the towel, after indicting former Prime Minister Hassan Diab and three former ministers. His successor, Tarek Bitar, in turn attacked politicians, but the parliament refused to waive the immunity of indicted deputies, the interior ministry opposed the interrogation of senior officers and security forces refused to execute arrest warrants.
He was forced to suspend his investigation for thirteen months, due to dozens of lawsuits against him from politicians and intense pressure.
Last January, he returned to work to everyone’s surprise. He was then prosecuted for insubordination by the public prosecutor after indicting several high-ranking personalities, a first in the history of Lebanon.
The prosecutor also ordered the release of the 17 people detained without trial since the gigantic explosion. In two and a half years, Judge Bitar was able to work for about six months, during which he was subjected to intense pressure which caused an unprecedented crisis within the judicial system.
But even if he has not set foot in the courthouse for months, his investigation “is continuing”, assured AFP a legal expert who requested anonymity for security reasons.
“The truth does not die until it is claimed”
This expert who is following the investigation affirmed that Judge Bitar was determined to continue his work until his indictment was handed down, stressing that he had made a promise to the families of the victims. “We are convinced that we will arrive at the truth, because the truth does not die until it is claimed”, assures Rima Zahed.
Thursday, 300 NGOs, including Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI), as well as families of the victims, renewed their call for the formation of an international commission of inquiry.