Families of the victims of the Beirut port explosion have been protesting in several places over the last few days. They protested on Wednesday evening in front of Minister of Justice Henry Khoury’s apartment in Hazmieh and on Thursday morning in front of the Justice Palace.
Thursday evening, they held a sit-in in front of the home of the head of the Higher Judicial Council, Judge Souheil Abboud in Ballouneh, Kesrouan. The sit-in was held to protest the Council’s decision of appointing a new judge for the investigation of the Beirut port explosion.
The families carried pictures of the victims and demanded Judge Tarek Bitar to not be taken off the case and to continue the investigation without interference from political forces. Army units were inserted at the protest.
The Higher Judicial Council decided on Tuesday to appoint a new judge for the investigation of the port case, while Judge Bitar remains prevented to work on the case due to the appeals against him.
The appeals are filed by political officials who have requested the removal of Judge Bitar after they were either summoned for questioning or were being prosecuted.
Related:
Families Of Beirut Blast Victims Are Protesting The Appointment Of New Judge
Violence Erupted As Families Of Beirut Blast Victims Stormed The Justice Ministry
