Public Actions
Probe of Beirut port blast suspended for the third time pending a new complaint filed at the Court of Appeals against Judge Bitar
Date:
Thursday, November 4, 2021
The probe into the Beirut port explosion by Judge Tarek Bitar has been halted once again after another political figure targeted by the investigation filed a lawsuit. Former Public Works Minister Youssef Fenianos, who Bitar had summoned for questioning, filed a complaint before the Court of Appeals seeking to remove the judge. After being formally notified of the complaint, Bitar has been forced to put his investigation on hold, as has happened multiple times before due to lawsuits brought by officials he had implicated in the August 2020 blast. According to judicial sources who spoke to AFP, Bitar has a total of 15 cases pending against him.
Acting Bodies:
Judicial bodies (cassation courts, constitutional council, military courts…)
Type:
Judicial Decisions
Categories:
Security
Impact:
National
Status:
Other / NA
Civil Society Response:
Contested