After a massive explosion erupted at the Port of Beirut on August 4th, 2020, the families of the victims demanded justice and accountability for their beloved ones.
Unfortunately, however, the families of the 234+ victims have been waiting for 2 years but to no avail. This is due to the protection offered by the Lebanese political establishment to the suspects.
Despite the many promises made to the people throughout the past 2 years, suspected politicians are still evading justice with the help of traditional Lebanese parties.
Due to the ongoing complications encountered in this case, a timeline of the sequence of events from one year after the investigation to date has become necessary to document.
In July 2021, Judge Tarek Bitar was seeking the prosecution of senior politicians and security officials and requested the lifting of pertinent immunities.
August 2021
- Families of the victims organize a protest to block MPs from attending a Parliament session. The session aimed to discuss Judge Bitar’s request to have the immunity of several officials lifted.
- Higher Defense Council of Lebanon refuses to grant the necessary permission for Judge Bitar to prosecute Maj. Gen. Tony Saliba.
- Judge Bitar is allowed to resume his investigations after the defendants submitted their formal defenses.
- A field simulation of the welding that took place at the Port of Beirut’s Warehouse 12 before the explosion was conducted under the supervision of Judge Bitar. The aim was to conclude whether welding had a direct effect that led to the deadly blast.
- Judge Bitar summons former caretaker PM Hassan Diab for interrogation.
- Lebanese Parliament stops Judge Bitar from summoning PM Diab.
- The mothers of the victims gathered in front of Judge Ghassan Ouaidat’s home protesting against the political interference in the investigation.
- Judge Bitar questions the former member of the Higher Council of Customs, Hani Hajj Shehadeh, and decides to issue an arrest warrant against him.
September 2021
- Former PM Diab leaves to the US after getting summoned again for questioning.
- Human Rights Watch demands an international probe into the Beirut Blast.
- Judge Bitar issues an arrest warrant for ex-Public Works Minister Youssef Fenianos.
- EU insists on the must to strengthen the Beirut Blast investigation, deploring the lack of cooperation of the majority of the Lebanese Parliament and certain ministries with the judicial authorities.
- Judge Bitar sets dates for questioning three Lebanese MPs over the Beirut Port Explosion.
- Several Lebanese officials come together to file a lawsuit against Judge Bitar.
- Former Minister Youssef Fenianos files a lawsuit against Judge Bitar to have him dismissed from the Beirut Port Explosion investigation.
- A protest is organized in front of the Justice Palace in Beirut in support of Judge Bitar’s work.
- Former minister Nouhad Machnouk files a lawsuit against Judge Bitar, pausing the investigation until a top court rules on the case.
October 2021
- Beirut Court of Appeal unanimously rejects the complaint against Judge Bitar, allowing for the investigation to proceed.
- Civil Court of Cassation rejects the request of ex-ministers Ali Hassan Khalil and Ghazi Zeaiter to remove Judge Bitar.
- Lebanese Judge Association announces that they will no longer accept requests to remove Judge Bitar.
- Lebanese Supreme Judicial Court meets Judge Bitar to hear his opinion on Beirut Blast Investigation.
- Russia provides satellite images of the Beirut Port to help the investigation.
- Former PM Diab files a lawsuit against the Lebanese State, forcing Judge Bitar to suspend the prosecution against him.
- Ex-Minster Ghazi Zeaiter refuses to attend his questioning.
November 2021
- Judge Bitar says he won’t back down from the Beirut Port case.
- Former minister Fenianos files a lawsuit, again, against Judge Bitar, forcing him to halt his work until a further decision is taken.
- Judge Habib Mezher gets suspended after attempting to interfere in Beirut Blast Probe.
- Three senior Lebanese judges resign over interference by politicians in the work of the judiciary in the Beirut Blast Investigation.
- The United Nations ignores requests from Lebanese victim families for information to help the official investigation into the Beirut Port Explosion.
December 2021
- Judge Bitar is allowed to continue his investigation after the request by ex-Minister Fenianos gets rejected by the President of the 12th Chamber of the Court.
January 2022
No new events regarding the Beirut Port Blast investigation in January of 2022.
February 2022
- Families of the Beirut Blast victims organize a rally to demand an effective investigation.
- Friends of a Beirut Blast victim send a letter to French President Macron.
March 2022
- Families of the Beirut Blast victims file a lawsuit against former ministers Ghazi Zeaiter and Ali Hassan Khalil, under the charges of abusing their defense’s rights and status.
April 2022
- Security forces and families of Beirut Blast victims clash during a protest.
- A law to stop the demolition of the Beirut Port Silos until the investigation finishes was proposed by Lebanese Forces MPs.
May 2022
- Beirut Blast suspects Ghazi Zaiter and Ali Hassan Khalil get reelected in the 2022 Lebanese Elections.
- Opposition MPs organize a march in Beirut under the slogan “We Will Not Forget August 4th, 2020”
June 2022
- Opposition MP Mark Daou gets cyberattacked after calling for sanctions on Beirut Blast-linked politicians.
- Lawyers of Beirut Port Blast victims demand fining two MPs.
July 2022
- Lebanese Parliament elects Supreme Council for Prosecuting Presidents and Ministers.
August 4th, 2022
Several marches are planned in Beirut as the Lebanese people are taking to the streets to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the Beirut Blast and reinforce their demands for justice.
Two years have passed with no accountability in sight. The families of the victims along with the Lebanese people continue to protest, determined to pursue justice all the way.
The 234 Beirut Blast Victims, Remember Their Names.
Related:
How The Beirut Blast Investigation Is Constantly Interrupted
Here’s The Timeline Of The Beirut Blast Investigation, A Year Later.
