"The former Director of General Security Abbas Ibrahim, during an interview with 'L'OLJ'. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine.)
BEIRUT - Former director of General Security, Abbas Ibrahim, appeared on Friday before the investigative judge at the Court of Justice, Tarek Bitar, as part of the investigation into the double explosion at the Beirut port on Aug. 4, 2020.
Ibrahim is among the security officials against whom judge Bitar had initiated proceedings, particularly for negligence, as part of his investigation into the tragedy.
The former head of the general security arrived for the hearing at the Beirut courthouse at 9:15 a.m. and left the court around 11:45 a.m. Shortly after, former head of state security, Tony Saliba, was heard by Tarek Bitar.
The hearing of Ibrahim took place despite a complaint that he allegedly filed against Bitar, as reported by several media outlets. If confirmed, this action would aim to remove the magistrate's control over the case, in the wake of multiple legal challenges initiated by political and security officials targeted in the investigation. Furthermore, new warnings had been issued to the judge by mufti Ahmad Kabalan, known to be, like Ibrahim, close to Hezbollah.
The dignitary had threatened "chaos" in case of politicizing the inquiry, while the Shiite tandem (Amal-Hezbollah) has been heavily criticizing the investigation since proceedings were initiated against officials close to them.
Since taking charge of the case, judge Bitar has never relented, neither in the face of legal challenges nor threats, even when Hezbollah was at the peak of its power. In Sept. 2021, Wafic Safa, head of security within the party, stormed the Palace of Justice, threatening to "topple" him, but the magistrate did not allow himself to be intimidated.
The 2021 clashes in Tayouneh and Ain al-Remmaneh just after, between presumed supporters of the Lebanese Forces and militiamen of Hezbollah and Amal who entered this neighborhood while returning from the Palace of Justice during an anti-Bitar protest, also did not overcome his determination.