Lebanon High Court says prosecutor can resume Beirut port explosion probe
The court s decision, reported by the official state news agency, is likely to ease concerns by members of the public who feared the investigation might end given Lebanon s decades-long culture of imp
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A man inspects the damage of August 4 blast that tore through Lebanon s capital Beirut. (Photo| AFP) By Associated Press
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s highest court said Monday the prosecutor investigating last year’s massive explosion at the Beirut port that killed dozens and injured thousands can resume his work after a three-week pause following legal challenges to his authority.
Almost 30 people have been arrested since the probe into August's deadly blast began, which killed more than 200 people, but fears remain that culture of impunity and pressure from prominent groups could derail inquiry
BEIRUT
Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister said Tuesday he was shocked to learn he was being charged with negligence in the Aug. 4 port explosion, saying he did his utmost duty during his brief tenure, during which he learned about dangerous chemicals stored at the port.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Hassan Diab described being singled out and charged while others knew more, calling it “diabolical.” He insisted the investigating judge must go through parliament to question him further, now that he has been charged.
Lebanon’s prosecutor investigating last summer’s horrific explosion at the Beirut port filed charges against Diab and three former ministers earlier this month, accusing them of negligence that led to the death of hundreds of people.
Lebanese PM slams diabolical move to charge him over blast sfchronicle.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sfchronicle.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Lebanon prosecutor pauses port probe amid legal challenges
21.12.2020
Lebanon s prosecutor investigating last summer s horrific explosion at the Beirut port has paused the probe for 10 days, following legal challenges to his authority by the same senior officials he accused of negligence that led to the blast, the country s official news agency said on Thursday.
The development, reported by Lebanon s National News Agency, comes after a stormy week that cast doubt on the fate of the investigation into the Aug. 4 blast that killed over 200 people and destroyed parts of Beirut.
The legal battle has muddled the probe into what was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history, in a country where a culture of impunity has prevailed for decades.