The long-running investigation into the 2020 Beirut port explosion could reach a crucial stage as the judicial case may finally move toward a formal indictment by the end of October, Justice Minister Adel Nassar said on Monday.

In a post on X, Nassar said that the lead investigator, Judge Tarek Bitar, had completed his investigation and referred the case file to the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation for review, paving the way for the next stage of the proceedings.

The minister said he expected that stage to be completed during October, or by the end of the month.

“The completion of this stage during October or by the end of the month is a key step toward uncovering the truth and achieving justice,” Nassar wrote, describing the blast as one of the most painful cases for the Lebanese people.

The explosion killed more than 200 people, wounded thousands and devastated large parts of Beirut. It was caused by hundreds of tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been stored at the port for years under unsafe conditions, according to authorities.

Bitar's investigation has been repeatedly suspended since he was appointed in 2021. Legal complaints and challenges by political figures and senior officials accused in the case prevented him from carrying out parts of his work for years.

The investigation resumed in early 2025 after a prolonged period of obstruction, with Bitar pursuing questioning and charges involving officials from the political, security, military and administrative spheres. 

By March 2026, Bitar had completed the main investigation and submitted the case to the public prosecutor for review. The prosecutor is expected to examine the file and issue a legal opinion before it is returned to the investigative judge for the next procedural step, including the issuance of an indictment.