Family members of the victims of the Beirut port blast have said a landmark compensation order by a UK court sets a “strong precedent” for those pursuing justice over the deadly 2020 explosion.
Savaro Ltd, the UK-registered company found liable earlier this year by the same court for the blast, was told to pay a total of $1 million to four victims.
At least 220 people died, thousands injured and large parts of the Lebanese capital destroyed when 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded on August 4, 2020. Savaro was found liable for importing the chemical, which sat at the port for years.
“It's also a very good signal to everybody and to us that there is hope. It's a sign of progress. It's going to give everybody hope in potentially pursuing other cases,” he told The National.
The case was launched by four victims and family members of the blast, represented by the prosecution office of the Beirut Bar Association and the law firm Dechert.
The London ruling awarded £100,000 ($125,624) each to three claimants – Alexandra's parents Paul and Tracy, and the family of Ralph Malahi, a firefighter who died in the blast – the largest non-nuclear explosion in history.
Some £550,000 was awarded to Inaam Al Kayal, who was severely injured in the blast, for future medical treatment, lost earnings and trauma.
While Mr Naggear said it was a “very good feeling” to hear the news from the London court, he cautioned that it would be complex to collect the money.
Savaro is believed to be a shell company, and the identity of its real owners remains unclear.
If the Naggear family were to receive compensation, they would use it to help fund the foundation they founded in their daughter's name.
The judicial progress sits in stark contrast to that happening inside Lebanon. No senior official was held accountable for the blast during the stalled domestic investigation, which has repeatedly been impeded by legal measures in a country where attributing blame for negligence has become deeply politicised.
“Things are progressing outside of where the actual blast happened,” said Mr Naggear, adding that inside Lebanon, the judicial progress was “completely blocked”.
“It's really weird to see that outside things are happening; it's ridiculous. That's a very strong message because it shows that there is a clear will from inside to block things from happening.”
Lead investigator Tarek Bitar had charged several senior government, security and legal officials – but has received severe legal and political pushback, including from fellow judges.
Other family members of the victims have launched separate lawsuits outside Lebanon.
The Dechert team in London was led by Camille Abousleiman, a partner at the firm and former minister in the Lebanese government.
MATCH INFO
CAF Champions League semi-finals first-leg fixtures
Tuesday:
Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Esperance (TUN) (8pm UAE)
Al Ahly (EGY) v Entente Setif (ALG) (11PM)
Second legs:
October 23
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About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
List of alleged parties
May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff
May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'
Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff
Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party
Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters
Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
READ MORE ABOUT CORONAVIRUS
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
