The investigation into the massive explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital in early August is ongoing, with some top officials being questioned about their knowledge of the presence of ammonium nitrate at the Port of Beirut.
Recently, Judicial Investigator Judge Fadi Sawan questioned caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab, among many other politicians and non-politicians.
Diab’s deposition extended for over an hour and tackled several questions, most notably his response – or lack thereof – to the presence of dangerous materials at the Port, of which he had been informed.
To that question, Diab reportedly responded by saying that one of his assistants had informed him that the material in question was no more than fertilizer and posed no threat to public safety.
Now, after Diab’s deposition, it’s reportedly expected that the investigative judge will also have soon a session with President Michel Aoun over his knowledge of the presence of ammonium nitrate at Beirut Port.
Investigative journalist Radwan Mortada pointed out this possibility in a recent appearance on Al-Jadeed TV.
It was also inferred during that interview that these sessions are instead called “taking testimonies” in Lebanon when it comes to top officials, like the president and the prime minister.
Legally, in such a case, the Judicial Investigator would be bound to go to the Presidential Palace to meet the President instead of the other way around.
This is also true when it involves a Lebanese Prime Minister, which explains why Judge Sawan went to the Grand Serail on Thursday in order to meet Diab and question him.
President Aoun’s and former PM Diab’s knowledge of the presence of ammonium nitrate at the Port of Beirut before the explosion was noted in a recent Reuters article and admitted by both of them following the devastating blast.
Recently, 4 military officers were detained as part of the ongoing investigation, upon which the total number of detainees related to this case rose to 25, with reportedly more arrests occurring in recent days.
