Violent police in Lebanon clash with families of victims of corruption in Beirut | The story of the Beirut eruption

Angry protesters surrounded the interior minister’s house in Beirut as explosions continued.

Beirut, Lebanon – Riot police have beaten and burst into tears in protesting families in Beirut outside Lebanon’s interior minister in Beirut on Tuesday.

The protesters had placards of their missing relatives, and accused Foreign Minister Mohamad Fahmy of refusing a legal request to cross-examine General Security General-General Abbas Ibrahim.

Violent police surrounded the house as protesters tried to break through. Some climbed over the outside walls, pelted the area with stones, and placed empty boxes at the door. Security guards and plainclothes officers beat other spectators with sticks that they tried to pierce.

“The perpetrators are not being prosecuted, and the courts want them to be named,” lawyer and human rights activist Wasif Harake told Al Jazeera. “If they are not summoned, then the people will take matters into their own hands and be held accountable.”

Opponents threw tomatoes, water bottles, and stones as the controversy escalated. Soldiers fired tear gas to clear the area.

In the past, protesters have gathered near parliament demanding that lawmakers protect the security of three lawmakers and former ministers from cross-examination. a huge explosion in Beirut Port which killed 211 people.

Take adequate protection

An investigation into the devastating eruption 11 months ago continues to be suspended.

On July 2, investigating Judge Tarek Bitar announced legal action against minority politicians and security officials, including Major-General Ibrahim.

Bitar asked the interior ministry for permission to question Ibrahim and State Security Major-General Tony Saliba. However, Fahmy rejected Bitar’s request last week.

Bitar also called on parliament to remove security from former finance minister Ali Hasan Khalil, former government minister Ghazi Zaiter, and former prime minister Nohad Machnouk. Members of Parliament continue to oppose the election.

A deadly explosion in Beirut Port last August 4 injured more than 6,500 people, after hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate fertilizer exploded at a port.

In February, a Lebanese court ruled in favor of Bitar, after Judge Fadi Sawan convicted three former ministers and outgoing Prime Minister Hasan Diab of negligence.

Now on #Lebanon House of the Minister of Interior Fehmi, police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday #BeirutBlast victims. pic.twitter.com//1pZMluFpSi

– Kareem Chehayeb | Karim Chehayeb (@chehayebk) July 13, 2021