Shushan Bezdjian (centre) 53. Her daughter Jessica, 22, in the picture she is holding was a nurse at the Greek Orthodox Hospital and died in the blast. Sunniva Rose / The National
Shushan Bezdjian (centre) 53. Her daughter Jessica, 22, in the picture she is holding was a nurse at the Greek Orthodox Hospital and died in the blast. Sunniva Rose / The National
Shushan Bezdjian (centre) 53. Her daughter Jessica, 22, in the picture she is holding was a nurse at the Greek Orthodox Hospital and died in the blast. Sunniva Rose / The National
Shushan Bezdjian (centre) 53. Her daughter Jessica, 22, in the picture she is holding was a nurse at the Greek Orthodox Hospital and died in the blast. Sunniva Rose / The National

'Who killed my father?': families of Beirut blast victims desperate for answers

Judge investigating blast is failing to hold influential politicians to account, says local watchdog

Sunniva Rose
Sunniva Rose

November 25, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Families of victims of the Beirut port explosion say they are desperate for answers and financial help, but the judge in charge of the investigation refuses to hold influential politicians accountable, a local watchdog told The National on Wednesday.

“I came here to know who killed my father,” said Ahmad Lazekani, 23.

The third-year data science student on Wednesday took part in a small protest near the Lebanese Parliament with two dozen other friends and relatives of people who died in the blast on August 4.

Local officials have blamed poor security measures for the ignition of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored at the port, in one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in recent history.

About 205 people died and thousands were injured in the blast, which devastated large parts of Beirut, destroying tens of thousands of homes.

“We were at home and the door fell and broke in front of him," Mr Lazekani said of his father Mohammad, 55.

"He had bleeding in his head and all his bones broke. They cut his fingers."

A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP
A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP

He said he did not trust the Lebanese judiciary to hold those responsible accountable for his father’s death.

“For 30 years they have been in power and they are all thieves,” Mr Lazekani said.

He was referring to the country’s political class, which has ruled since the end of the civil war in 1990.

“My biggest hope is to leave Lebanon when I finish my studies. I’ll throw my ID away in the garbage.”

Several politicians, including President Michel Aoun and caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab, said they had been made aware of the dangerous chemicals stored at the port but had been unable to do anything about it.

The judge responsible for the probe into the blast, Fadi Sawan, asked Parliament in a letter to investigate caretaker Public Works and Transport Minister Michel Najjar, Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni and Justice Minister Marie-Claude Najm, AFP reported on Wednesday morning.

“Honestly, I couldn’t care less," Mr Lazekani said. "Even if he asked [parliamentary Speaker] Nabih Berri to come, he would go and come back without a problem.

"It’s been three months, and no-one has been held accountable."

Ali Sawan's son Hussein, holding a picture of his father who was killed in the Beirut port blast on August 4. Sunniva Rose / The National
Ali Sawan's son Hussein, holding a picture of his father who was killed in the Beirut port blast on August 4. Sunniva Rose / The National

Shushan Bezdjian, 53, echoed Mr Lazekani’s anger.

"Is it possible that no one asks about us? What are we, dogs? Not a single politician offered his condolences for my daughter," Ms Bezdjian told The National.

“Shame on them. They knew."

Her daughter Jessica, 22, was a nurse at the Greek-Orthodox hospital in Beirut.

On August 4, she went to work early for a shift that started at 7pm. When the explosion happened at 6.08pm, the hospital entrance door flew across the room, killing her on the spot.

Mr Sawan has so far arrested 25 people as part of the continuing investigation, including top port and Customs officials.

He has heard several political figures as witnesses but not opened investigations against them.

Lebanon’s judiciary is notoriously sensitive to political pressure.

Nizar Saghieh, the founder of local watchdog Legal Agenda, previously said Mr Sawan caved in to political pressure at least twice in his previous career at Beirut's Military Court.

Mr Saghieh raised doubts about his ability to conduct an independent investigation into the port explosion.

A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of the explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP
A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of the explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP
Smoke billows from an area of a large explosion that rocked the harbour area of Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
Smoke billows from an area of a large explosion that rocked the harbour area of Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The scene of the explosion that rocked Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion that rocked Beirut. AFP
The harbour area with smoke billowing from an area of the explosion, Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
The harbour area with smoke billowing from an area of the explosion, Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
People gather near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
People gather near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the blast in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the blast in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
A wounded man is checked by a fireman near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
A wounded man is checked by a fireman near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
A resident stands in the street by a destroyed car, following the explosion near by at the port of Beirut. Bloomberg
A resident stands in the street by a destroyed car, following the explosion near by at the port of Beirut. Bloomberg
Lebanese Red Cross officers carry an injured woman following an explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP
Lebanese Red Cross officers carry an injured woman following an explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP
Smoke rises after the explosion was heard in Beirut. Reuters
Smoke rises after the explosion was heard in Beirut. Reuters
Firefighters spray water at a blaze after the explosion in Beirut. Reuters
Firefighters spray water at a blaze after the explosion in Beirut. Reuters
People walk at scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
People walk at scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
The blast at Beirut port. Twitter/ @borzou
The blast at Beirut port. Twitter/ @borzou
Army personnel around entrance to port.
Army personnel around entrance to port.
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
Sailors leave their damaged ship near the explosion in Beirut. AP Photo
Sailors leave their damaged ship near the explosion in Beirut. AP Photo
A vehicle stands damaged on a road following a large explosion at the port area of Beirut. Bloomberg
A vehicle stands damaged on a road following a large explosion at the port area of Beirut. Bloomberg
Firefighters try to extinguish flames after a large explosion rocked the harbour area of Beirut. EPA
Firefighters try to extinguish flames after a large explosion rocked the harbour area of Beirut. EPA
People and journalists gather at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
People and journalists gather at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
An injured man sits outside American University of Beirut medical centre on August 5, 2020. Reuters
An injured man sits outside American University of Beirut medical centre on August 5, 2020. Reuters
Men stand before wrecked buildings near the port. Getty Images
Men stand before wrecked buildings near the port. Getty Images
A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings. Getty Images
A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings. Getty Images
Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut medical centre. Reuters
Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut medical centre. Reuters
Injured people stand after the explosion. AP Photo
Injured people stand after the explosion. AP Photo
People gather by cars destroyed following an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
People gather by cars destroyed following an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
Wounded people wait to receive treatment outside a hospital following an explosion near the Beirut port. AFP
Wounded people wait to receive treatment outside a hospital following an explosion near the Beirut port. AFP

Mr Sawan’s attempt on Friday to involve Parliament in the investigation into the Beirut port blast was “unacceptable”, Mr Saghieh said.

“I’m afraid to say that we were right about everything we said,” he said.

Asking for Parliament’s intervention is like declaring himself incompetent to investigate politicians, Mr Saghieh said.

“He’s trying to transfer responsibility to Parliament and tell Parliament, 'Go ahead, you are responsible for investigating ministers, not us'.”.

Ministers in Lebanon can only be tried by a special court that requires the approval of two thirds of Parliament. This has never happened before.

Mr Sawan does not speak to the media and The National's previous attempts to contact him yielded no results.

Ms Najm and Mr Najjar declined to comment.

Victims’ families hope to obtain compensation from the government on similar terms to the allowances given to soldiers’ families if they die on duty.

“They receive a monthly allowance, [free] medicine and schools,” said Ibrahim Hoteit, a spokesman for the victims’ families, who lost his brother in the explosion.

The government gave the families of those killed in the blast a one-off sum of 30 million Lebanese pounds each, or $3,750 at the black market rate and $20,000 at the defunct official rate.

But there were significant delays and it took two months to reach many of them, Mr Hoteit said.

He said he believed the monthly allowance was a little more than one million Lebanese pounds.

That is $133 at the black-market rate, which has been in use since the local currency lost about 80 per cent of its value.

Lebanon’s economy has collapsed in the past year and the IMF expects it to contract by a further 25 per cent in 2020.

Mr Hoteit told The National  that MP Ali Hassan Khalil received a delegation of victims' families on Friday afternoon and promised that this week or next, Parliament would sign the law allowing them to receive an allowance.

Mr Hoteit said the law had already been signed by Mr Aoun, Mr Diab, who resigned on August 11 after the blast, and Mr Berri, and that it only needed to be ratified by Parliament.

But Mr Saghieh warned that a caretaker government could not sign off draft laws.

“I think they are playing a very nasty games with the victims, by promising some things that are not valid,” he said.

Mr Khalil did not respond to phone calls on Wednesday.

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Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

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Saturday (UAE kick-off times)

Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)

Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)

West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)

Sunday

Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)

Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)

Everton v Liverpool (10pm)

Monday

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Graduated from the American University of Sharjah

She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters

Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks

Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding

 

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

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3.

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4.

Japan

5

Norway

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Canada

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Khaldoon%20Bushnaq%20and%20Tariq%20Seksek%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Global%20Market%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20100%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20to%20date%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2415%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tomorrow 2021
Series information

Pakistan v Dubai

First Test, Dubai International Stadium

Sun Oct 6 to Thu Oct 11

Second Test, Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Tue Oct 16 to Sat Oct 20          

 Play starts at 10am each day

 

Teams

 Pakistan

1 Mohammed Hafeez, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Asad Shafiq, 5 Haris Sohail, 6 Babar Azam, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed, 8 Bilal Asif, 9 Yasir Shah, 10, Mohammed Abbas, 11 Wahab Riaz or Mir Hamza

 Australia

1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Mitchell Marsh, 5 Travis Head, 6 Marnus Labuschagne, 7 Tim Paine, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Jon Holland

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Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

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Everton 2 (Tosun 9', Doucoure 93')

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Rabdan Street

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Aston Martin Rapide AMR

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Transmission: Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic

Power: 595bhp

Torque: 630Nm

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Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

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Number of tracks: 10

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3.15pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m

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Winner: Qanoon, Szczepan Mazur, Irfan Ellahi.

4.15pm: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Cup Handicap (TB) Dh200,000 1,700m.

Winner: Philosopher, Tadhg O’Shea, Salem bin Ghadayer.

54.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m

Winner: Jap Al Yassoob, Fernando Jara, Irfan Ellahi.

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Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie

Based: Dubai, UAE

Founded: 2015

Number of employees: 30

Sector: F&B

Funding so far: Dh3 million

Future funding plans: None at present

Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries

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UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
  • Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
  • Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
  • Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
 
 
What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Evacuations to France hit by controversy
  • Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
  • Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
  • The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
  • Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
  • It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
  • Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
  • Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
MATCH INFO

Karnatake Tuskers 114-1 (10 ovs)

Charles 57, Amla 47

Bangla Tigers 117-5 (8.5 ovs)

Fletcher 40, Moores 28 no, Lamichhane 2-9

Bangla Tiger win by five wickets

While you're here
HAJJAN
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Thank You for Banking with Us

Director: Laila Abbas

Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum

Rating: 4/5

The%20specs
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Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

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Lebanon