Madi Files Lawsuit against Persons Unknown in al-Hasan Case, Refers It to Investigative Judge

State Prosecutor Hatem Madi on Thursday filed a lawsuit with the Judicial Council against persons unknown in the case of the Ashrafiyeh bomb attack that killed Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Maj. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan and two other people, state-run National News Agency reported.

Madi filed a lawsuit against “persons unknown and anyone who is proven by the investigations to have taken part, interfered, conspired or incited to blow up a booby-trapped car that targeted Maj. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan, which led to his martyrdom together with his bodyguard Chief Warrant Officer Ahmed Suhyouni and the rest of the martyrs, in addition to attempted murder against other people, the infliction of material damage on buildings, properties and car, and the jeopardizing of the state's domestic security.”

The prosecutor referred the case to Investigative Judge Nabil Wehbe, requesting “the start of investigations and the issuance of any warrant required by the probe, including arrest warrants and any warrant that requires implementation by foreign parties.”

Judge Madi received the investigation files earlier on Thursday.

Hasan was assassinated on October 19 in a powerful car bombing in the Beirut district of Ashrafiyeh that also killed his bodyguard and a civilian woman and wounded more than 100 people.

The force of the explosion gutted two apartment blocs, tearing off balconies and shattering windows. Falling masonry crushed cars parked below.

The incident sparked a political crisis, unrest across Lebanon and deadly clashes in Tripoli and Beirut.