Relatives of victims of the August 4, 2020 explosion gathered in front of the Emigrant statue, Beirut, September 4, 2023. (Credit : João Sousa)
BEIRUT - Relatives of victims of the August 4, 2020 Beirut port explosion held two separate rallies in the Lebanese capital on Monday afternoon. One group gathered near the statue of the Emigrant, opposite the port, as they do on the 4th of every month. Another smaller group, led by Ibrahim Hoteit and opposed to Judge Tarek Bitar, who is in charge of the investigation into the blast, held a separate rally.
Under the Emigrant statue, the main group of approximately 20 individuals gathered, holding photos of victims. Hoteit's group, who separated from the main one several months ago, gathered at the port entrance near the highway.
"We are still fighting an unknown criminal who is being let off the hook," the larger group declare in a statement relayed by the National News Agency (NNA) on Monday. "The truth of this case has been buried in the [drawers] of justice and by the obstructionists who are blocking the investigation with numerous appeals against Judge Bitar, as if he was the one who blew up the port," the text continues.
The victims' families also addressed a question to public prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat: "To Prosecutor Oueidat: Is there justice, or are we in a country without justice? Is it fair to release all those detained for the greatest crime perpetrated in Lebanon?"
In January, Judge Oueidat released the 17 individuals detained in connection with the port explosion case and prohibited Judge Bitar from traveling after filing an appeal against him on charges of "usurpation of power."
August 4, 2023 marked the third commemoration of the tragedy, and drew fewer demonstrators compared to previous years. Several members of parliament participated in the rally, but their presence evoked criticism. Relatives of victims condemned the obstruction of the investigation, which has been hindered by multiple political interferences, despite Judge Bitar's repeated attempts of pursuit.
At the end of August, the main group of victims' families announced that a petition in favor of an international fact-finding commission had been signed by a "majority" of Lebanese MPs and would soon be presented to the UN Security Council.
Relatives of victims of the August 4 blasts hold portraits of victims during a mobilization by this group hostile to Judge Bitar in Beirut, September 4, 2023. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine)