Beirut Seaport Explosion

Assigning Responsibilities

In light of the catastrophe that befell the Lebanese people on August 4, 2020, following the explosion of the Beirut port, which resulted in 200 people dead, over 6,000 injured, and over 300,000 left homeless. It has become evident that the relevant authorities were aware of the 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate kept in Hanger 12 since 2014 but stored in an ill-mannered way. In a step to represent Lebanese citizens, UFL has taken on the responsibility of defending the victims and their families because the judiciary has been unable to take the necessary action and involve officials accountable.  

UFL Lawsuit Against 28 Lebanese State Officials

UFL lawyers filed a lawsuit against 28 government officials before the First Investigative Judge in Beirut and requested that it be referred to the Judicial Council. These represented governments as well as other current and former officials. Specifically, the Ministers of Public Work and Finance, the Army Commander, the general directors of Public Security, Army Intelligence, State Security, Customs, and the Beirut port. The defendant’s list also included the commanding judges of the Military Court namely the Government Commissioner, as well as those who were directly accountable such as the State Public Prosecutor, among other parties.

The investigative judge refused to register UFL's suit despite the intervention of the Head of the Higher Judicial Council to stop this serious and flagrant violation of the law.

After putting tireless effort to obtain a copy of the investigative judge's decision of denying the case, UFL lawyers appealed the decision to know a vail. Concurrently, attorney Rami Ollaik of UFL, representing himself and Ziad Richa who lost his mom in the explosion, was able to take part as plaintiffs before the Judicial Council. 

Lawsuit No. 1 at the Judicial Council

After a difficult path, Ollaik’s suit, which was the first before the First Investigative Judge in Beirut, was no. 1 and the only personal penal complaint before the Judicial Investigator (followed by Richa’s).

Recusal of the State Public Prosecutor

On September 7, 2020, attorney Ollaik submitted a legal complaint before the General Assembly of the Court of Discrimination (highest court) against the Lebanese State represented by its public prosecutor. This was on grounds of the public prosecutor’s decisions prior to the port explosion, who was regarded as being guilty of grave dereliction of duty. Ollaik insisted on the need for the public prosecutor’s recusal according to the law.