The investigation into the devastating August 4, 2020 Beirut port explosion saw renewed momentum on Friday, as Judge Tarek Bitar reaffirmed his intention to pursue the case despite no immediate action being taken against those questioned.
Among those summoned was former General Security chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim, who appeared before Judge Bitar at the Beirut Palace of Justice. Ibrahim faces allegations of negligence related to the blast but remains under investigation, with no formal charges issued at this stage.
Accompanied by one of his lawyers, General Ibrahim not only responded to the judicial summons, but also took the opportunity to announce the filing of a complaint against the magistrate, invoking Article 741 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This article authorizes proceedings against the state for liability arising from alleged faults attributed to magistrates in the performance of their duties.
According to some reports, the appeal was officially lodged on Thursday with the civil division of the Court of Cassation, which could lead to yet another suspension of the investigation.
On leaving the Justice Palace, General Ibrahim clarified that “the filing of the appeal against Judge Bitar is not intended to hinder the investigation, but to shed light on the violations committed by the magistrate in this case.”
By deciding to proceed with the hearings, however, Bitar will have implicitly disregarded the appeal against him, opting to continue with the investigation. According to sources close to the case, he also intends to adopt a pragmatic approach, continuing with the hearings while avoiding immediate prosecution of the accused.
In a parallel development, the former head of State Security, General Tony Saliba, who has also returned to Lebanon, was heard as well.
In this context, Judge Bitar plans to summon additional political leaders in the coming weeks. He has also been informed of the arrival in Lebanon, on April 27, of a French judicial delegation, expected to be involved in the investigation.
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