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Six years after the Beirut port explosion, Lebanon's judicial inquiry has produced no indictment or trial; prosecutors delivered their opinion in September 2026

Confidence: Corroborated · 4 sourcesLebanon · Oct 6, 2026

Subject of this story

Ghassan Oueidat, Former Prosecutor General of Lebanon

Lebanon Public Prosecutor's Office

Lebanon Judicial Investigation into the Beirut Port Blast

What happened

Investigative Judge Tarek Bitar concluded his inquiry and sent the file to the Public Prosecutor on 30 March 2026, with 70 defendants questioned since early 2025. The inquiry had been stalled for years after then-Prosecutor General Ghassan Oueidat barred security services from cooperating with Bitar, ordered suspects released and filed complaints against him, and Oueidat retired in 2024. A 270-page prosecution opinion was reported delivered to Bitar in mid-September 2026; it is not binding, and indictment is expected by year-end, after which the case would go to trial. The August 2020 blast killed at least 235 people.

By the numbers (1)

● confirmed by a primary document · ○ reported

Figures

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70 defendants have been questioned since early 2025 in the Beirut port blast probe.

Lebanon Judicial Investigation into the Beirut Port Blast70 defendants.

1 source

Naharnet70 defendants questioned since early 2025

Sources (4)

NaharnetBitar concluded the probe on 30 March 2026 and referred it to the public prosecutor; 70 defendants questioned since early 2025.

Tahrir Institute for Middle East PolicyOueidat "used his powers to systematically obstruct Bitar's investigation"; he retired in 2024 and his successor lifted the obstructive measures in 2025.

The New ArabIndictment expected before end of 2026; prosecutor's office is reviewing the file.

Yeni SafakPublic Prosecutor Judge Mohammed Saab submitted a 270-page judicial opinion to investigative Judge Tarek Bitar; not binding on the investigative judge.

Response

Ghassan Oueidat

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Lebanon Public Prosecutor's Office

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Lebanon Judicial Investigation into the Beirut Port Blast

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Not yet contacted for this story.

What happened next (0)

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