Lebanese Public Prosecution Requests Indictment of Michel Aoun in Beirut Port Case

Lebanon’s Public Prosecution has requested that charges be brought against former President Michel Aoun in connection with the August 4, 2020, Beirut port explosion, a judicial source told the Agence France-Presse (AFP). The source said that the Advocate General, Mohammad Sawwab, asked the investigating judge to directly indict former President Michel Aoun, on the grounds that he had prior knowledge of the presence and danger of ammonium nitrate at the port, without taking the necessary measures or bringing the matter before the Supreme Council of Defense. On Tuesday, Sawwab submitted his preliminary findings on the case to the investigating judge, outlining the responsibilities of more than 70 individuals, including politicians, security and military leaders, and officials previously named by the investigating judge. The issuance of the indictment remains within the purview of the investigating judge, with expectations that it will be issued in the coming weeks.