A criminal court in Tripoli has sentenced seven individuals to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in armed activities that severely harmed Libya’s national economy and security, the Attorney General’s Office announced on Sunday.
According to a statement by Prosecutor General Al-Siddiq Al-Sour, the group was found guilty of forcibly shutting down oil fields and production sites, leading to an estimated $52 billion in financial losses for the Libyan state.
The court sentenced six defendants to 18 years in prison and one to 15 years. All were stripped of their civil rights permanently. While the court did not reveal the full identities of the convicted, it confirmed that they were part of an armed group that obstructed public authorities and committed acts of sabotage and violence, including the random killing of workers in state institutions.
The convictions follow a series of investigations by the Attorney General’s Office, which concluded that the group had attempted to change the form of government by force, disrupt state operations, and attack key infrastructure.
Local media reports have linked the case to high-profile figures including the fugitive Ibrahim Jadhran and his brother Osama, as well as Saadi Al-Nawfali, reportedly a close associate of Algerian militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar. Others named include Jamal Bouharq, his brother Ayman, Ahmed Al-Qarqai, Murai Al-Jubail, and former Ajdabiya mayor Salem Al-Maghrabi.
The ruling comes amid persistent security challenges in Libya’s oil sector, which remains vulnerable to political strife and armed disruption. The court’s decision signals an attempt by Libyan authorities to reassert control and safeguard the country’s most vital economic resource.
