Charges of neglect against officials over Beirut blasts rejected
By IANS |
Published on
Sat, Dec 12 2020 11:21 IST |
4 Views
World leaders to hold aid summit for Beirut. Image Source: IANS News
Beirut, Dec 12 : Charges pressed by a Lebanese judge against caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab and three former Ministers for their neglect over the massive August 4 Port of Beirut blasts have been rejected by the government and the establishment.
All the indicted officials, including former Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil and former Transportation and Public Works Ministers Ghazi Zeaiter and Youssef Fenianos, are expected to be questioned on the case by next weekm reports Xinhua news agency.
Charges in Beirut Port Blast Stir Controversy naharnet.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from naharnet.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Saturday 12/12/2020
Lebanon s Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri walks with Lebanon s caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab at the governemt palace in Beirut, Lebanon, December 11, 2020. (REUTERS)
BEIRUT The unprecedented move to press charges against senior Lebanese officials, including caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab, over the massive Beirut port explosion could be a first step to ending impunity in the country.
However, the investigating judge s decision to disregard some officials suspected of sharing the blame has sparked controversy.
Investigative Judge Fadi Sawan, who is probing the August 4 explosion caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser stored at Beirut port since 2013, charged Diab with carelessness and negligence leading to death of more than 200 people.
Beirut blast: Charges pressed against ministers, officials for neglect rejected IANS
Beirut: Charges pressed by a Lebanese judge against caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab and three former Ministers for their neglect over the massive August 4 Port of Beirut blasts have been rejected by the government and the establishment.
All the indicted officials, including former Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil and former Transportation and Public Works Ministers Ghazi Zeaiter and Youssef Fenianos, are expected to be questioned on the case by next week, reports Xinhua news agency.
Friday, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri said that the charges constitute a clear and flagrant constitutional breach because heads of government only appear before a special court formed by Parliament.
Charges in Beirut port blast: Gangs defending each other – Ya Libnan yalibnan.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from yalibnan.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.