Libyan judicial authorities have ordered the pretrial detention of a former financial controller at Libya’s diplomatic mission to the Vatican, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial corruption and abuse of official authority.
The decision was issued after prosecutors uncovered serious irregularities in the management of public funds assigned to the mission.
According to a statement from the Office of the Attorney General, the investigation revealed that the former official misused his position by authorizing unlawful expenditures and failing to comply with financial and administrative regulations.
Prosecutors stated that the case forms part of wider efforts to combat corruption and reinforce accountability within Libyan state institutions, particularly those operating abroad.
Investigators found that the suspect disbursed €596,249 from funds allocated for the medical treatment of wounded Libyans without providing any documentation to verify the identities of the patients or confirm that medical institutions had been officially contracted to provide healthcare services.
The absence of medical reports, beneficiary records, or contractual agreements raised serious concerns about the legitimacy of the payments and suggested deliberate misuse of public resources.
The inquiry also established that the former financial controller spent an additional €50,000 outside its legally designated purpose, constituting a violation of financial rules and an abuse of entrusted authority. Prosecutors classified these actions as serious financial misconduct that could carry criminal liability under Libyan law.
Based on the evidence gathered, the investigating authority ordered the suspect’s detention pending further questioning and legal proceedings. Officials confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing and that additional charges or measures may follow as financial audits continue.
