Libya’s Attorney General announced on Friday the detention of the head of the Brega Petroleum Marketing Company’s office in the city of Zawiya on charges of conspiring to disrupt fuel distribution at the Zawiya refinery.
In a statement, the Attorney General’s Office said the official sought to block fuel distribution operations at the refinery in an attempt to pressure management into reversing its decision to transfer the office responsible for fuel allocation to the headquarters of Sharara Oil Marketing Company.
Investigators found evidence that the accused conspired with others to halt distribution for an unspecified period. The action, prosecutors noted, aimed to undermine company policy but risked depriving local communities of essential fuel supplies. Authorities said the suspension was eventually ended in order to preserve citizens’ right to access fuel.
After completing the interrogation, prosecutors ordered the official to be held in pretrial detention pending further investigations. The Attorney General also instructed the pursuit of additional individuals believed to be involved in the conspiracy.
The case highlights ongoing challenges in Libya’s vital oil and gas sector, where fuel shortages and distribution problems have sparked public anger in recent years. Zawiya refinery, one of the country’s largest, plays a critical role in supplying fuel to western regions. Disruptions to its operations have often led to shortages at filling stations, further exacerbating economic pressures on ordinary citizens.
The Attorney General’s move underscores a wider campaign to hold officials accountable for corruption, negligence, and conspiracies affecting Libya’s energy supply chain. Prosecutors reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding public access to essential resources and to ensuring transparency in the management of the petroleum sector.
