Russian Shipowner Linked to Beirut Nitrate Explosion Arrested in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian police have taken into custody Russian shipowner Igor Grechushkin, whose cargo of ammonium nitrate exploded at the port of Beirut in August 2020.

The Associated Press reported on this.

His arrest took place nearly five years after Lebanon issued two Interpol warrants for him and the ship’s captain, Boris Prokoshev, who is also a Russian citizen.

Currently, according to Bulgarian authorities, preparatory work is underway for his extradition to Lebanon for questioning.

“During the period of temporary detention, the competent authorities of Lebanon will submit an extradition request and accompanying documents to the prosecution,” the Bulgarian Prosecutor’s Office stated.

Grechushkin was arrested last week at Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport after arriving on a flight from Cyprus.

The explosion in Beirut occurred on August 4, 2020, as a result of the detonation of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in a warehouse at the port.

The origin of this nitrate traces back to its confiscation: the ship failed to pay for passage through the Suez Canal, and the cargo was seized at its first port of call – Beirut.

Along with the cargo seizure, the shipowner abandoned the crew, leaving the sailors stranded and under arrest for another eleven months.

The detonation of the ammonium nitrate occurred during repair work near the warehouse facilities, where workers were performing welding.

Due to violations of safety regulations, the explosion claimed the lives of 200 people, injured 6,000 others, and left 110 missing.

Up to 300,000 people lost their homes, including 80,000 children.