A Tripoli court has sentenced former officials of the Libyan Ministry of Health to prison on corruption charges.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the financial affairs official, former director of internal audit, and assistant financial controller at the Ministry of Health have been convicted and sentenced to one year in prison.
The statement revealed that the accused deliberately accepted official documents contrary to the truth, indicating receipt of medical equipment and supplies worth 4.6 million Libyan dinars.
Investigators confirmed the misconduct of these former employees, abusing their positions for the purpose of personal financial gain.
In a separate context, the Libyan judiciary is engulfed in a storm of controversy following accusations of corruption and bribery. The allegations, levied by Libyan journalist Khalil Al-Hasi against Attorney General Al-Siddiq Al-Sour, have sparked outrage and demands for a swift and transparent investigation.
Al-Hasi accused Al-Sour of various transgressions, including cancelling a “red notice” against Ali Dbaiba, a relative of Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbaiba, and his brother-in-law.
Additionally, Al-Sour was accused of revoking extradition requests made by the late former Attorney General Abdel Qader Redwan against Ali Dbaiba and his son Ibrahim in the UK.
These accusations have shaken the political and social landscape of Libya, prompting a response from the Attorney General’s office. Ali Dbaiba, previously a prominent figure in Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, and his son Ibrahim have faced international legal scrutiny, with Interpol issuing a red notice against Ali for alleged embezzlement and money laundering.
The Libyan Association for Judicial Bodies’ Members held an emergency meeting to address what it deemed as defamation of the judicial institution. It called for an urgent investigation to either refute or substantiate the allegations made by Al-Hasi, stressing the importance of upholding the integrity of the judiciary and holding those responsible for defamation accountable.
Despite the swift denial of the accusations by the Attorney General’s office, questions linger about the veracity of the claims and the integrity of the judiciary. Legal experts in Libya have called for an impartial investigation to ascertain the truth, suggesting the involvement of a neutral body such as a UN mission or a specialised committee.
