Translation: Al-Sarraf Witnesses Before French Judiciary in Port Explosion Case on August 3

On January 12 last year, former Defense Minister Yacoub Al-Sarraf contacted former Justice Minister Henry Khoury, and on the 17th of the same month, the Attendant General Judge Ghassan Oweidat, reiterating that he had information that might benefit the investigation into the Beirut port crime. He informed them of his desire to meet with a French team comprised of judges and investigators visiting Lebanon to conduct inquiries into the same case, requesting their approval to facilitate his testimony. He also contacted the French ambassador in Lebanon, Anne Grillo, on March 6, 2023, putting himself at the disposal of the French investigation delegation for any future visit to Lebanon or any suitable location. Furthermore, he sent another letter to the French investigating judges Marie-Christine Édiyard and Nicolas Aubertin on June 20, 2023, requesting to be heard as a witness in their investigation regarding the port explosion. He received a response to his request on July 3 from Aubertin, inviting him to attend the French court on August 3 to testify. Al-Sarraf had also appealed to Judge Fadi Sawwan during media interviews, sending him an official letter via the Ministry of Justice requesting the judge to refer him to the Public Prosecution. The same incident occurred with Judge Tarek Bitar, who received Al-Sarraf and accepted from him a file containing information and documents related to the explosion; however, he was not heard as a witness.