Justice on a knife edge: Judge Tarek Bitar reignites Beirut blast investigation, but new twist dashes hopes for justice
It’s been two and a half years of fighting and disappointment not only for the families of those who were killed in 2020’s August 4 blast in Beirut’s port, but also for the thousands more who suffered from injuries and from the destruction of their homes and businesses after half the city was damaged.
But no sooner than Bitar had sent out the calls for questioning, the public prosecutor hit back, saying the investigation was still suspended. Oueidat also ordered the release of all detainees, and called Bitar in for questioning, along with pushing for his removal during a meeting of the higher council of judges.
Bitar justifies relaunching the investigation as he considers himself a ‘special judge’ in charge of a ‘serious crime’ that cannot be recused and therefore deems he has the power to continue the investigation, explains Frangieh.
Cracks in the system have been shown since the beginning of the investigation. Bitar was not the first judge; his predecessor, Fadi Sawan, was replaced after he made the mistake of calling in politicians for questioning . Numerous politicians have used their impunity to avoid questioning and filed lawsuits against the judge, despite calls to drop their impunity in the public interest.
However, he and many others see the investigation—and the possibility of justice itself —as being at a turning point. “I do believe we are at a new crossroads where the law is completely disregarded and it shows who really has the power and the country,” said Frangieh. “This has never happened before.
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