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PORT INVESTIGATION

Beirut blast victim’s father files case against Judge Tarek Bitar, accusing him of delaying the probe into the explosion

Beirut blast victim’s father files case against Judge Tarek Bitar, accusing him of delaying the probe into the explosion

The grain silos at the Beirut port were destroyed by the Aug. 4, 2020 explosion. (Credit: NNA)

BEIRUT — The father of one of the Aug. 4, 2020 Beirut port blast victims Friday filed a case through his attorney, Salman Barakat, for legitimate suspicion against Judge Tarek Bitar, who is leading the investigation into the explosion. Youssef el-Maoula’s appeal accuses Bitar of “delaying the investigation, which is biased, because he summons some people and looks away from others, thus hampering the judicial investigation,” the state-run National News agency reported.

Here’s what we know:

    • The appeal does not suspend Bitar’s investigation, which he resumed earlier this week after a monthslong suspension brought about by a complaint filed by former Public Works Minister Youssef Fenianos. The Beirut Court of Appeals overturned Fenianos’ complaint this week, allowing Bitar’s work to resume.

    • The most recent suspension marked the third time Bitar's investigation had been stopped in response to a series of lawsuits brought by former ministers accused of negligence in connection with the blast. 

    • The families of those killed by the blast had largely supported Bitar's probe until an apparent split took place in October when the then spokesperson for some of the families, Ibrahim Hoteit, voiced dissatisfaction with Bitar’s handling of the investigation in a video released on social media. In the recording, Hoteit, whose brother was killed in the blast, spoke out against Bitar and called for his resignation. Many, including other relatives of the vict

BEIRUT — The father of one of the Aug. 4, 2020 Beirut port blast victims Friday filed a case through his attorney, Salman Barakat, for legitimate suspicion against Judge Tarek Bitar, who is leading the investigation into the explosion. Youssef el-Maoula’s appeal accuses Bitar of “delaying the investigation, which is biased, because he summons some people and looks away from others, thus...