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Protests at Justice Palace, Judicial Feud Continues, And Lira Soars Past 60,000
Thursday, January 26th has been another eventful day.
The Lebanese Lira has reached another historic low point, this time traversing the 60,000 LL per 1 USD mark. Fuel prices have also recorded a significant rise, reaching 1,005,000 for 20L of 95 Octane.
The main story for the day however is the continuation of troubles in regards to the August 4 probe led by judge Tarek Bitar. The judge’s investigation had been halted for close to a year after complaints were filed against Bitar.
Lebanese special forces barricade public prosecutor Ghassan Ouediat’s office at Beirut’s courthouse as protesters outside try to break in.
— Timour Azhari (@timourazhari) January 26, 2023
Oueidat is accused of organizing a coup against Beirut blast judge Tarek Bitar, angering families of victims. pic.twitter.com/sCxJviXCux
Prosecutor General Ghassan Oueidat yesterday filed charges against Bitar, and ordered the release of 17 people that had been detained since August 4 2020. One of those released, head of security and health at the port, Mohammad Ziad Al-Awf has reportedly defied a no fly order and left the country to the United States shortly after being released.
At the Palace of Justice, protesters associated with the families of the victims of August 4 and Forces of Change MPs raised their voices against what is being referred to as an intrusion into Bitar’s case. MP Waddah Sadek has tweeted that a personal guard of Minister of Justice, Henri Khouri, attacked him after MPs had entered the minister’s office. Oueidat has reportedly ordered staff at the palace to block communications to Bitar.
In front of the Palace, families of the victims decried the ongoing absence of justice for their loved ones. It seems that the case will continue to escalate as Bitar and Oueidat publicly play out their judicial feud.
— (@ramezelkadi) January 26, 2023
In other news, public school teachers have vowed to continue their strike until their demands are met and no presidential election session was held today, despite a continued sit in by protesting MPs.
