Protest in front of the Port of Beirut for the 4th anniversary of the double explosion, Aug. 4, 2024. (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L'Orient-Le Jour)
Beirut’s lead investigating judge, Tarek Bitar, continued hearings on Friday as part of his probe into the deadly Aug. 4, 2020, explosions at Beirut Port. Bitar questioned Mohammad Ahmad Kassabiyeh, the former head of the port’s security office, for nearly three hours in the presence of his lawyer.Kassabiyeh had been scheduled for questioning on Feb. 7, but his lawyer submitted a medical report citing hospitalization as the reason for his absence. On Friday, Bitar ordered Kassabiyeh’s release while keeping him "available for investigation."Former Beirut Port chief of staff Marwan Kaakeh was also questioned for three hours on Friday, accompanied by his lawyer, Gaby Germanos.Germanos had previously raised procedural objections during an earlier summons but withdrew them on Friday "to give free rein to justice,"...
Beirut’s lead investigating judge, Tarek Bitar, continued hearings on Friday as part of his probe into the deadly Aug. 4, 2020, explosions at Beirut Port. Bitar questioned Mohammad Ahmad Kassabiyeh, the former head of the port’s security office, for nearly three hours in the presence of his lawyer.Kassabiyeh had been scheduled for questioning on Feb. 7, but his lawyer submitted a medical report citing hospitalization as the reason for his absence. On Friday, Bitar ordered Kassabiyeh’s release while keeping him "available for investigation."Former Beirut Port chief of staff Marwan Kaakeh was also questioned for three hours on Friday, accompanied by his lawyer, Gaby Germanos.Germanos had previously raised procedural objections during an earlier summons but withdrew them on Friday "to give free rein to justice,"...
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