Lebanese rally behind port blast judge forced to halt probe
ABC News
Hundreds of Lebanese, including families of the Beirut port explosion victims, have rallied outside the court of justice in the capital
BEIRUT -- Hundreds of Lebanese, including families of Beirut port explosion victims, rallied Wednesday outside the court of justice in the capital to support the judge investigating the blast after he was forced to suspend his work.
The suspension was triggered by a legal challenge submitted by a former Cabinet minister, who is a defendant in the case. A court must now make a ruling on whether he is removed or can continue the investigation.
Several lawmakers and former officials charged in the case by Bitar have filed lawsuits against him, asking that he step down on grounds of violating the law or showing bias.
More than a year after the blast that devastated the city and killed more than 200 people, there are no answers to what caused highly explosive materials stored in the port for years to ignite on Aug. 4, 2020.
