Lebanon marks Beirut blast anniversary with fears of crackdowns in days to come

France24 says public anger in Lebanon is mounting a year after the August 4, 2020, Beirut blast, with a stalled investigation, crippling economic crisis and political sclerosis. Amid an increasing crackdown on dissent and freedom of expression, it’s a combustible mix for a country gripped with grief and outrage.

The Saturday after the August 4, 2020, Beirut blast, Hussein El Achi and his fellow activists gathered at Martyr’s Square in the heart of the Lebanese capital to protest the government negligence that caused the deaths of more than 200 people when a stock of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate dumped in the port exploded.

https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20210804-lebanon-marks-beirut-blast-anniversary-with-fears-of-crackdowns-in-days-to-come