Lebanon’s long-stalled investigation into the deadly Beirut port explosion has entered a new phase of legal and political controversy, after former Public Prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat refused to receive a summons for questioning from the lead judicial investigator, Judge Tarek Bitar.

Oueidat, who previously led the Public Prosecution Office and is now retired, was served a summons for a scheduled questioning session on July 21. However, he refused to sign the document, declaring that he does not recognize “the authority of the judicial investigator whose powers have been suspended.”

The move has triggered widespread debate over legal procedures and the extent to which a retired senior judge can be held accountable within Lebanon’s fractured judiciary.

Constitutional expert Dr. Saeed Malik told Annahar newspaper that the Higher Judicial Council has no role in this matter due to Oueidat’s retired status.

“The Higher Judicial Council holds no authority over Ghassan Oueidat at this stage. He is no longer under its jurisdiction,” Malik said.

He added that the situation now falls squarely under the Code of Criminal Procedure, particularly Article 363, which grants the judicial investigator the same authority as any other investigative judge.

Malik cited Article 84 of the same law, which explicitly states that an investigative judge cannot close an investigation without interrogating all defendants, except in cases where the individual is a fugitive.

“Judge Bitar has the right to consider that Oueidat, though properly notified, has refused to appear and is therefore evading justice,” Malik explained.

Such a classification could have significant implications for the probe, particularly in shaping the next legal steps.

Despite Oueidat’s rejection of the summons, Judge Bitar is expected to press ahead with the investigation. Malik said the judge will likely proceed by referring the case to the Public Prosecution Office for its opinion on the substance of the case before issuing the final indictment.

“After the Public Prosecution issues its stance, the case returns to the judicial investigator, who will then issue the indictment and refer it to the Judicial Council,” Malik said.

Momentum in the investigation has picked up under Lebanon’s new presidential term, with Bitar resuming interrogation sessions since early February. These have included hearings with several current and former officials from the Customs Directorate.

However, not all those summoned have complied. MP and former Public Works Minister Ghazi Zeaiter — a relative of Oueidat — did not attend his scheduled interrogation session. His lawyer, Samer Al-Hajj, appeared in his place.

Due to Zeaiter’s absence, Judge Bitar has postponed any decision concerning him until the full indictment is finalized.

According to Annahar sources, Bitar plans to summon additional individuals in the coming days, demonstrating his commitment to concluding the investigative phase.

The indictment, long-awaited by victims’ families and rights advocates, is reportedly nearing completion. However, Bitar is awaiting responses to letters rogatory sent to several foreign countries before finalizing the charges.

Lebanon’s port blast on August 4, 2020, killed more than 220 people and devastated large parts of Beirut.