Nassar says port blast indictment expected in October

Justice Minister Adel Nassar announced Monday that Beirut port blast investigator Judge Tarek Bitar has concluded his investigations and referred the file to the Public Prosecutor's Office for its review, paving the way for the indictment.

“We expect this stage to be completed during or towards the end of October, a crucial step towards uncovering the truth and achieving justice in one of the most painful cases for the Lebanese people," Nassar wrote on X.

He added: "The independence of the judiciary and respect for legal procedures are the guarantees for reaching the truth and holding those responsible accountable."

The massive explosion on August 4, 2020 killed more than 220 people, injured more than 6,500 and laid waste to swathes of the capital.

Lebanese authorities have said the explosion was triggered by a fire in a warehouse where tons of ammonium nitrate fertilizer had been stored haphazardly for years, despite repeated warnings to senior officials.