Judge Tarek Bitar is set to resume his investigations into the Beirut Port Explosion this week, the National News Agency (NNA) reported on Tuesday.
Judge Bitar, who is leading the probe into the August 4 blast, will resume his investigations into defendants with a series of consecutive sessions that start on Friday and continue throughout the remainder of the week.
The move comes after defendants submitted their formal defenses through their legal representatives, according to the NNA.
As of yet, a total of around 120 witnesses have testified in relation to the Beirut Port Explosion.
Later this month, specifically on the 26th, the judicial investigator is set to question caretaker PM Hassan Diab as a defendant in the case.
Regarding the remaining defendants, they cannot be prosecuted as long as they are shielded by their immunities.
In a recent session, the Higher Defense Council refused to grant the necessary permission for Judge Bitar to prosecute Maj. Gen. Tony Saliba, Director-General of State Security.
Similarly, General Security Chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim has retained his immunity after caretaker Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmi refused to grant permission for his prosecution.
Regarding the remaining charged officials, MPs Ghazi Zaiter and Ali Hassan Khalil also remain safe from Judge Bitar’s grip due to their immunity, unlike former Minister Youssef Fenianos, who currently holds no office.
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