Here's The Timeline Of The Beirut Blast Investigation, A Year Later
On August 4, 2020, a massive explosion erupted at the Port of Beirut, destroying it, wreaking havoc in the Lebanese capital, killing more than 230 people , and changing the lives of thousands of other victims.
A year later, there has yet to be justice or accountability for the catastrophic event, despite the many promises made to the people throughout the past 12 months.
The troubled journey of the investigation into the Beirut Explosion became a case in itself, turning complex with notable and interwoven events, meetings, names, and resistance from ruling politicians.
Hence, the must of a timeline of the sequence of events since the beginning of the investigation to date, as we mark the first anniversary of the Beirut Blast that remains without justice.
August 2020
Lebanese government announces the launch of a 5-day probe into the Beirut Port Explosion
Lebanese government decides to place all Beirut Port officials under house arrest
Judge Fadi Sawwan is tasked with leading the investigation into the blast
Beirut Port Director-General Badri Daher and 15 other Beirut Port and Lebanese Customs officials are detained
People take to the streets in massive protests
Interpol deploys response team to help investigate the explosion
President Aoun refuses an international investigation into the explosion
The Lebanese government, headed by Prime Minister Hassan Diab, resigned under pressure from protests
Evidence surfaces that President Michel Aoun and caretaker PM Hassan Diab had been warned about the ammonium nitrate at the Port of Beirut weeks prior to the explosion
It is announced that the FBI will help with the investigation
German national newspaper Die Welt alleges Hezbollah's involvement in purchasing the ammonium nitrate
International investigative report reveals new information about the owner of the ammonium nitrate shipment. The report concludes that only 700-1000 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in Beirut
Canada offers to join the investigation
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September 2020
25 people, including four military officers, are detained in relation to the explosion
Customs officials are interrogated over a new batch of ammonium nitrate found at the Port of Beirut
FBI and foreign experts from France and the UK leave Beirut with samples after completing their missions
Judge Fadi Sawwan questions caretaker PM Hassan Diab
Caretaker Public Works Minister Michel Najjar says welding could have started the fire at the Port of Beirut
Beirut Bar Association prepares hundreds of complaints related to the explosion, pro bono
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October 2020
Jordan provides Lebanon with new details about the ammonium nitrate ship
Judge Fadi Sawwan issues arrest warrants for the captain and the owner of the ship that transported the ammonium nitrate shipment to Lebanon