Judicial investigator into the port blast Judge Fadi Sawwan on Wednesday rescheduled the interrogation of ex-ministers Ali Hassan Khalil and Ghazi Zoaiter to January 4, the National News Agency said.
Sawwan’s move comes after Khalil and Zoaiter failed to show up at a session scheduled for today, Wednesday and after he did not receive official responses as to whether they have received notification memos from parliament, NNA added.
Also on Wednesday, Sawwan heard the testimony of former army chief of staff Maj. Gen. Walid Salman, who appeared before him as a witness. He also filed charges against the president and two directors of the port’s administration and investment authority, accusing them of negligence and causing the death of innocents.
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Former minister Youssef Fenianos said he is going to appear before the investigating judge over the Beirut port blast probe but according to his own scheduling, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday. I decided to appear before the judge but at my own timing. My conscience is clear and will therefore meet the judge to tell him he violated article 40, 70 and 71 of the constitution, said Fenianos.
On Tuesday, Fenianos went to the Judicial Palace to attend a questioning by Judge Fadi Sawwan, the lead investigator into the port blast, but that the session was postponed to a later date which he was not duly notified of.
Parliament has asked Judicial Investigator Judge Fadi Sawwan to submit a file detailing any “serious suspicions” he has regarding officials he has charged or intends to charge in the ongoing probe into the devastating August 4 explosion at Beirut’s port.
“We have received a letter from Judge Sawwan and it has been decided not to publish it in the media out of respect for the Lebanese judiciary and keenness from us on it performing its work to the fullest,” Deputy Speaker Elie Ferzli announced after a meeting for Parliament Bureau chaired by Speaker Nabih Berri.
“We hope facts will be reached regarding the port’s crime and its reasons,” Ferzli added.