Lebanon's lead judge suspends probe into Beirut port blast

A Lebanese investigating judge, who last week charged outgoing premier Hassan Diab and three former ministers with negligence over the devastating August blast, has now suspended the probe into the high-profile case. 

The probe was suspended by lead judge Fadi Sawwan Thursday, after two of the ministers requested the case be transferred to another judge.

According to judicial sources, their request was transferred to Lebanon's top Criminal Court of Cassation headed by Judge Jamal Hajjar.

The court is now expected to rule on their request for Sawan to be removed from his post. 

"Until then, all investigation proceedings are suspended," media outlets quoted a senior court judicial official as saying.

Last week, Sawan indicted caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab, former ministers Ali Hassan Khalil, Ghazi Zaieter and Youssef Fenianos with negligence and demanded their questioning.

Judicial sources then said the four were charged with "negligence and causing death to hundreds and injuries to thousands more". 

They were the first politicians to be indicted over the catastrophic explosion that disfigured the heart of the capital Beirut and stoked a wave of public anger.

None of the ministers has shown up for interrogation. The outgoing premier Diab has also refused to appear in front of the judge on similar grounds. 

The minister have argued that the move against them violated the constitution. Lebanon's politicians have rallied around the argument that the indictment of a minister should be submitted to a vote in parliament. 

Lebanon PM Diab, ex-ministers indicted over Beirut port explosion

A Lebanese investigating judge has charged outgoing premier Hassan Diab and three former ministers with negligence over a catastrophic Beirut port explosion in August.

Following the explosion, it emerged that top security officials and politicians had known for years about hundreds of tons of the ammonium nitrate fertilizer stored haphazardly at the Beirut port but had failed to take precautionary measures. 

The indictment  came after an investigation confirmed the suspects had received "several written notices warning them against postponing the disposal of ammonium nitrate fertilizer."

The highly explosive chemicals were left at the port’s Hangar 12 for nearly seven years until they exploded on August 4, destroying large parts of the city, injuring more than 6,500 people, in addition to 200 others killed, and rendering thousands homeless.

Ex-Israeli lawmaker sparks outrage after hailing Beirut blast as ‘gift’ from God

A former member of the Israeli parliament (Knesset) expresses glee over the deadly blast in Beirut, describing it as a “gift” from God for a Jewish festival.

Lebanon’s caretaker justice minister had dismissed earlier calls for an international investigation into the explosion, saying the country’s judiciary could handle the probe itself.

Marie-Claude Najem said on August 12 that the explosion in Beirut was a "chance" for the judiciary to “prove they can do their jobs and win back the confidence of the people.”

Najem then said public pressure and the international coverage of the explosion would also likely push matters in the right direction.

The investigation has so far triggered the arrest of more than two dozen people, including top port and customs officials.

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