As widely anticipated, MP Ghazi Zeaiter did not appear on Friday for his scheduled interrogation session before Judge Tarek Bitar, the lead judicial investigator in the 2020 Beirut port explosion probe.

The session proceeded in Zeaiter’s absence with his lawyer, Samer Al-Hajj, attending on his behalf alongside attorneys representing the families of the victims. Al-Hajj informed the court that his client would not be appearing.

In response, Judge Bitar opted to hold off on taking any immediate legal action and said he would defer any measures until the issuance of his formal indictment.

Zeaiter, along with several other current and former officials, is facing scrutiny over possible negligence or misconduct that may have contributed to the deadly August 4, 2020 blast, which killed more than 220 people, injured thousands, and devastated large parts of Beirut.

The investigation, led by Bitar, has faced repeated delays and political pushback, with several high-profile figures refusing to appear for questioning, citing immunity or questioning the judge’s authority.