Russian ship owner arrested in Beirut port explosion

In Bulgaria, Russian ship owner Igor Grechushkin, identified as a key figure in the investigation related to the devastating explosion at Beirut port in Lebanon in 2020, has been arrested. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

The AP news agency reported this information citing four sources within the Lebanese judiciary system. According to the information, two international arrest warrants were issued by a Lebanese investigative judge against Grechushkin and ship captain Boris Prokoshev.

After five years of being sought by Interpol, Grechushkin was arrested in Bulgaria. Currently, Lebanese judicial authorities are preparing an official request to extradite Grechushkin to Beirut.

If this does not happen, investigators may travel directly to Bulgaria themselves to interrogate him. According to AP agency information, Grechushkin holds Russian and Cypriot citizenship and was arrested at the airport when he arrived in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, from Cyprus last week.

It is recalled that in 2020, an ammonium nitrate explosion occurred at Beirut port. This event affected thousands of lives and is considered one of the largest industrial disasters in Lebanon's history.

To date, this tragedy remains remembered for its serious consequences.