Suspicions about a blacksmith’s association with a militant organization! … The judicial investigator asks for an extension of the investigation with a person detained in the port attack

Radwan Mortada –

French and American FBI investigators suggested that the Beirut port bombing was not caused by a terrorist attack or internal bombing, but by a fire in District 12, which caused the explosion. However, investigations into whether the fire was caused by an error, electrical friction, or was started have yet to be concluded. The Americans also estimated the volume of ammonium nitrate that exploded at just 230 tons, while researchers from the Information Section reported the explosion of around 2,000 tons of ammonium nitrate. However, the French did not specify in their report the size of the materials that caused the explosion. Security sources revealed that French experts informed the Lebanese side that their final report needs two months later.

Regarding the new investigation, Judge Fadi Sawan, the judicial investigator, heard the testimony of 16 detainees and issued permanent arrest warrants against them, while three detainees remained without issuing permanent arrest warrants against them, pending the end of the interrogation of the Military Police investigators. These are the three blacksmiths who were carrying out the welding work in pavilion number 12. According to security sources, the investigation with the three blacksmiths is being expanded, revealing that the investigators suspect that there is some connection between one of the three blacksmiths with a militant organization or perhaps the presence of militant tendencies in it. Sources revealed that an examination of the suspected blacksmith’s phone showed that he had conducted a prior search of the port and the head of the Port Investment Authority. The sources also claimed that his phone revealed interest in militant groups. And although the sources denied the appearance of any association with the suspect, they stopped when the aforementioned blacksmith had learned blacksmithing via YouTube, and that the port workshop was the first in which he participated in the work, noting that upon hearing the testimony The aforementioned blacksmith indicated that he began to work as a blacksmith. The workshop contractor will start from July 28, 2020 only, that is, two days before the start of the works in the port. However, all of the above remains under suspicion pending conclusive evidence of criminal intent.

Regarding the upcoming off-border investigations in Turkey and Cyprus, Al-Akhbar learned that Investigators from the Information Section had heard testimony from Muhammad H. In Turkey, as the broker who was hired by Specter to bring the Roussos ship. Security sources indicated that the team of investigators will return today from Turkey. On the other hand, the request made by the Lebanese side to the Cypriot authorities through diplomatic means to hear the shipowner as a witness did not lead to a positive ending, as Al-Akhbar learned that the Cypriot authorities had not yet responded to the correspondence. Sources interested in the investigation were stunned by the stagnation of the Cypriot state, although it had previously shown its willingness to cooperate.