Prosecutor Requests Charges Against Michel Aoun Over 2020 Beirut Port Blast

What happened

Naharnet Lebanon reports that a Lebanese prosecutor has formally requested charges against Michel Aoun, the country's former president, for his alleged role in the 2020 Beirut port blast that killed over 220 people and injured more than 6,500. A judicial official told AFP that the prosecutor cited Aoun's prior knowledge of the presence and danger of ammonium nitrate stored at the port without taking necessary preventive measures or referring the issue to Lebanon’s Higher Defense Council.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The investigation into the explosion, which devastated large parts of Beirut, has been hampered by years of political interference and legal challenges. Judge Tarek Bitar, who oversees the case, had completed his probe as of early 2026 and forwarded it to the public prosecutor for review. Prosecutor Mohammad Saab submitted this review on September 15, naming over 70 defendants, including current and former politicians, security and military officials, and civil servants. The decision to bring formal charges now rests with Judge Bitar.

The blast, triggered by a fire in a warehouse storing ammonium nitrate fertilizer, has been linked to systemic negligence and failure to act despite repeated warnings to senior officials. No one has yet been punished despite widespread public outrage and demands for justice from families of the victims and civil society in Lebanon. The case gained some momentum after political shifts in Lebanon following the 2023-2024 Israel-Hezbollah conflict, which weakened Hezbollah's influence and allowed judicial proceedings to resume.

Known from the source

• A Lebanese prosecutor requested charges against former president Michel Aoun over the 2020 Beirut port blast.
• The blast killed more than 220 people and injured over 6,500.
• The prosecutor alleges Aoun had prior knowledge of ammonium nitrate stored at the port without taking necessary actions.
• The investigation is overseen by Judge Tarek Bitar.
• More than 70 defendants, including current and former politicians and officials, are named in the prosecutor's review.

What remains unclear

This development occurs amid ongoing tensions in Lebanon and the wider region where Hezbollah's role and Israel-Lebanon relations remain volatile. Accountability for the port blast remains a critical test of Lebanon's judicial independence and political will in a country long plagued by official impunity and destabilizing factionalism.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Official court documents or statements confirming the prosecutor's filing and charge specifics against Michel Aoun. Verification of the exact casualty numbers cited and any recent updates. Confirmation on the status and timeline for Judge Bitar's decision on charges.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: Naharnet Lebanon. Open the source.