On Saturday, the Libyan Attorney General announced that the investigative authority has ordered the detention of the former financial inspector of the Tax Authority on charges of embezzling 48 million Libyan dinars.
According to the statement, the Attorney General’s office has begun investigating the financial inspector’s misconduct during his tenure at the Tax Authority.
The investigation revealed that the official committed serious breaches of duty during the years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
He allegedly diverted 48 million dinars, collected from taxpayers, into a series of bank transfers through the account of a joint-stock company that had no contractual relationship with the authority.
This maneuver enabled the official to withdraw and embezzle the funds.
The statement also noted that the prosecution has decided to detain both the financial inspector and the company’s representative pending further investigation. Additionally, efforts are underway to pursue other individuals involved in the embezzlement scheme.
Libya has faced numerous challenges related to financial governance and corruption, especially in the years following the 2011 revolution.
The instability that followed the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime created an environment where oversight and accountability were significantly weakened. Various sectors, including the Tax Authority, have been plagued by allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement.
The Tax Authority is a critical institution in Libya’s financial system, responsible for collecting taxes and managing public revenue. The integrity of its operations is vital for the country’s economic stability and development. Misconduct within such an important institution not only undermines public trust but also hampers the government’s ability to provide essential services and infrastructure.
The investigation into the former financial inspector’s activities reflects the ongoing efforts by Libya’s judicial and law enforcement bodies to address corruption. The prosecutor’s office has been actively working to identify and prosecute individuals involved in financial crimes, aiming to restore integrity and public confidence in governmental institutions.
