The Port of Beirut, after the deadly double explosions of Aug. 4, 2020. (Credit: Anwar Amro/AFP)
BEIRUT — The families of the victims of the Aug. 4 Beirut explosion blocked the road leading to the Justice Palace in Beirut on Monday, demanding the resumption of the port blast investigation led by Judge Tarek Bitar. The probe has been suspended since Dec. 23 due to a lawsuit filed by an ex-minister who was summoned by Bitar for interrogation.
Here’s what we know:
• “Honest judges must speed up the investigation into the tragedy," said the families, who blocked the road with burning tires.
• Feb. 4 marked the 18 month anniversary of the explosion, which took the lives of more than 200 people, injured dozens of others and ravaged entire neighborhoods in the areas surrounding the port.
• The families of the victims also criticized some of the candidates running in the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for May 15, saying they are exploiting their cause to gain popularity.