LBCI

Beirut blast judge travels to Bulgaria to question ship owner

17-12-2025 | 08:28

Share

Share

Beirut blast judge travels to Bulgaria to question ship owner

Beirut's investigating judge in the port explosion case, Tarek Bitar, has traveled to Bulgaria to question the owner of the Rhosus, the vessel that transported the ammonium nitrate shipment that caused the devastating explosion, a judicial source told AFP.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Bitar departed for Sofia on Wednesday via Istanbul and is scheduled to question the ship owner on Thursday. He left Beirut airport alone, with the Lebanese embassy in Sofia providing a clerk to record the testimony and a translator, while Bulgarian judges will attend the session.

Lebanese authorities are relying on the testimony of the ship owner, identified as Grechushkin, for information about the ammonium nitrate shipment, including who ordered and financed it.

The questioning will also verify whether Beirut was indeed the intended destination for the vessel, which had been docked at the Lebanese capital's port for several years.

Lebanon News

Beirut

Blast

Judge

Tarek Bitar

Travel

Bulgaria

Ship

Owner

Next

Lebanon’s State Security hails troops’ efforts in new year security plan

Recommended For You

Information Minister: Finance Minister to visit Washington, Health Minister presents alarming figures

07:00

Information Minister: Finance Minister to visit Washington, Health Minister presents alarming figures

PM Salam says war decision must remain in state hands, calls for end to conflict

06:52

PM Salam says war decision must remain in state hands, calls for end to conflict

Explosion heard in Batroun, smoke rises from forest area

03:18

Explosion heard in Batroun, smoke rises from forest area

Hezbollah claims drone, rocket attacks on northern Israel

01:02

Hezbollah claims drone, rocket attacks on northern Israel

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Iranian FM says US failed to achieve its objectives, calls war a “golden turning point”

Middle East News

2026-03-25

Iranian FM says US failed to achieve its objectives, calls war a “golden turning point”

Russia says it opposes closure of Strait of Hormuz

Middle East News

2026-03-23

Russia says it opposes closure of Strait of Hormuz

Iranian missile intercepted over Lebanese airspace for first time by foreign warship, sources told Reuters

2026-03-24

Iranian missile intercepted over Lebanese airspace for first time by foreign warship, sources told Reuters

Iran ready to dilute highly enriched uranium if all sanctions lifted: Nuclear chief

Middle East News

2026-02-09

Iran ready to dilute highly enriched uranium if all sanctions lifted: Nuclear chief

Videos

Iran uses cluster bombs to target Israel: AiTelly explains what happens when a missile is intercepted—Video

2026-03-25

Iran uses cluster bombs to target Israel: AiTelly explains what happens when a missile is intercepted—Video

At least 19 killed after strike destroys three-story building in Sir el-Gharbiyeh: Video

2026-03-08

At least 19 killed after strike destroys three-story building in Sir el-Gharbiyeh: Video

Israeli airstrike targets Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

2026-03-06

Israeli airstrike targets Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

Intense consecutive airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

2026-03-05

Intense consecutive airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

Israeli army launches evening airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs after evacuation warning

2026-03-05

Israeli army launches evening airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs after evacuation warning

Smoke rises over Beirut’s southern suburbs as Israel targets area: Video

2026-03-02

Smoke rises over Beirut’s southern suburbs as Israel targets area: Video

German President Steinmeier meets Lebanon's President Aoun at Baabda Palace—Video

2026-02-16

German President Steinmeier meets Lebanon's President Aoun at Baabda Palace—Video

Future Movement supporters mark Rafic Hariri anniversary, call for Saad Hariri's return to politics

2026-02-14

Future Movement supporters mark Rafic Hariri anniversary, call for Saad Hariri's return to politics

Israel strikes vehicle in Doueir-Wadi Aaba in South Lebanon—Video

2026-02-01

Israel strikes vehicle in Doueir-Wadi Aaba in South Lebanon—Video

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Explosion heard in Batroun, smoke rises from forest area

1

Explosion heard in Batroun, smoke rises from forest area

Tom Fletcher to LBCI: We warn of a full-scale humanitarian crisis in Lebanon with 20% of the population displaced

2

Tom Fletcher to LBCI: We warn of a full-scale humanitarian crisis in Lebanon with 20% of the population displaced

Israeli army warns money changers allegedly linked to Hezbollah after strikes

3

Israeli army warns money changers allegedly linked to Hezbollah after strikes

US torn between expanding Iran war and ceasefire push as Israel escalates strikes—the details

4

US torn between expanding Iran war and ceasefire push as Israel escalates strikes—the details

Trump to Reuters: We will leave Iran quickly and return if necessary

5

Trump to Reuters: We will leave Iran quickly and return if necessary

Arab Interior Ministers' Council: Support for Lebanon’s security, stability, unity, and government’s decision to keep weapons under state control

6

Arab Interior Ministers' Council: Support for Lebanon’s security, stability, unity, and government’s decision to keep weapons under state control

Lebanon’s Defense Minister signs mine action support agreement with UNDP and donor countries

7

Lebanon’s Defense Minister signs mine action support agreement with UNDP and donor countries

Trump says Iranian president wants ceasefire

8

Trump says Iranian president wants ceasefire

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More