Latest news with #AttorneyGeneral'sOffice
Libyan Express
4 days ago
- Libyan Express
Agricultural Bank officials jailed over corruption and loan fraud
BY Libyan Express Jul 20, 2025 - 08:42 Libyan prosecutors jail Agricultural Bank officials over fraud Libya's Attorney General has ordered the pretrial detention of the former branch manager of the Agricultural Bank in Al-Aziziyah and the branch's former head of legal affairs, in connection with a long-running investigation into illicit enrichment and financial misconduct dating back to 2011. In a statement obtained by Libyan Express on Saturday, the Attorney General's Office said the charges stem from a series of banking operations uncovered at the Al-Aziziyah branch. Investigators found that the two suspects had approved a loan worth 2.75 million Libyan dinars (approximately $560,000) without securing the necessary collateral required by law. The investigation also revealed that the accused had falsified borrower information to deliberately obstruct the repayment process—actions prosecutors say constitute clear abuse of public office and deliberate facilitation of financial fraud. As a result, both individuals have been placed in pretrial custody as the investigation continues. The case comes amid a broader national campaign against corruption. In May, Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh reaffirmed his government's pledge to pursue accountability under the 'Libya Free of Militias and Corruption' initiative, warning, 'Those who continue to engage in corruption or blackmail will be held to account.' The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Libyan Express
16-07-2025
- Libyan Express
Libya disrupts trafficking hub used by Europe-bound migrants
Copy Link Libyan authorities have freed 104 migrants who were being held by a human trafficking network in the eastern city of Ajdabiya, according to a statement issued by the Attorney General's Office on Monday. Five suspects — Libyan, Sudanese, and Egyptian nationals — were arrested during the security operation. They are accused of unlawfully detaining and torturing migrants in order to extort ransom payments from their families. Prosecutors stated that the victims had been subjected to severe physical abuse and inhumane conditions while held in captivity. The suspects remain in pre-trial detention, while investigations continue into dismantling the wider trafficking network and prosecuting those involved in grave violations of human rights. Libya as a transit hub: crossings surge in 2025 Libya remains one of the principal departure points for migrants and asylum seekers attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe. The country's ongoing instability, porous borders, and presence of armed groups have made it a stronghold for smuggling and trafficking networks. According to the latest figures: Approximately 28,000 migrants have reached Italy from Libya in the first half of 2025 — nearly double the number recorded during the same period last year. The Central Mediterranean route recorded around 29,300 irregular crossings between January and June 2025, representing a 12% increase year-on-year. While total irregular entries into the European Union have declined by 20% (to 75,900), the Central Mediterranean now accounts for nearly 40% of all arrivals — making it the busiest and most dangerous route into Europe. As of May, at least 846 people have died or gone missing attempting the sea crossing in 2025, according to IOM data — highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. Origin countries and shifting migration routes Recent data also reveal that a significant proportion of migrants arriving via the Western Mediterranean route (primarily into Spain) originate from West Africa. The most common nationalities include: Mali – 47.9% Morocco – 16.5% Somalia – 13.5% These migration flows reflect broader patterns driven by armed conflict, political instability, and economic hardship across the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and North Africa. European response and Libya's role The surge in crossings has prompted the European Union to intensify pressure on Libyan authorities to crack down on trafficking networks and enhance border control mechanisms. In parallel, the EU continues to support naval missions such as EUNAVFOR MED Irini, which is tasked with intercepting arms smuggling and monitoring violations of the UN arms embargo on Libya — but also plays a growing role in monitoring irregular migration routes. While the EU's focus remains on strengthening border security and curbing smuggling, humanitarian organisations have raised concerns about conditions faced by migrants intercepted at sea and returned to Libya, where many face detention, abuse, or further exploitation. Efforts are ongoing to strike a balance between security cooperation and protection of migrant rights — a complex and urgent challenge as migration pressure on southern European states continues to grow.
Libya Observer
15-07-2025
- Libya Observer
Over 100 migrants freed from trafficking ring in Ajdabiya
Libyan authorities have freed 104 migrant from a human trafficking network operating in the eastern city of Ajdabiya, the Attorney General's Office announced on Monday. Security forces arrested five suspects—identified as Libyan, Sudanese, and Egyptian nationals—accused of illegally detaining and torturing migrants to extort ransom payments from their families. Investigations revealed that the victims were subjected to severe abuse and inhumane treatment while being held against their will. The suspects are currently in pretrial detention, and prosecutors say efforts are ongoing to dismantle the wider trafficking network and pursue those involved in human rights violations. Libya remains a major transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe, with traffickers often exploiting the country's instability to operate with impunity. Tags: human trafficking
Libya Observer
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
Dbeibeh: UK backs plan to eliminate armed groups operating outside military, security institutions
The Government of National Unity (GNU) said its Prime Minister, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, praised international positions—led by the United Kingdom—supporting the government's plan to enforce state authority, unify security decision-making, and dismantle armed groups operating outside the framework of the military and security institutions. Dbeibeh received British Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, Hamish Falconer, in Tripoli on Monday, according to a statement issued by Dbeibeh's office. The statement cited Dbeibeh as saying that 'efforts to restore the state's legal jurisdiction have begun to bear fruit, as evidenced by progress in releasing detainees held outside the state framework under the direct supervision of the Attorney General's Office.' He described this as a reflection of the state's seriousness in upholding the rule of law and ending all forms of unlawful detention. The meeting between Dbeibeh and the British minister also discussed political developments in Libya and ways to enhance coordination with international partners on shared issues of interest, based on an independent Libyan vision that respects national sovereignty, according to the statement. They also touched on educational development projects, particularly the Prime Minister's initiative to improve English language education across the country, viewing it as a key step to empower future generations and promote international academic openness. Dbeibah emphasized 'the importance of strengthening economic and educational cooperation between the two countries and creating favorable conditions for mobility and institutional ties—especially amid ongoing preparations to reopen Tripoli International Airport, which would enable direct flights and ease consular services, thereby enhancing people-to-people connections and supporting the strategic partnership.' Tags: Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah the United Kingdom
Hans India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
PM Netanyahu slams Attorney General for charging top aide
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday slammed the country's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara over the announcement of pending criminal charges against the Prime Minister's top aide Yonatan Urich calling the move "baseless and unfounded". "The disgraceful announcement by the Attorney General regarding the intention to prosecute Yonatan Orich, especially at this particular time, is an unfortunate decision that raises serious questions," the Israeli PM posted on X. "I am familiar with the details, and I state clearly and unequivocally: there was no harm to national security. Yonatan did not harm national security. This is an absurd, baseless move — intended to serve a different agenda, and not the public's best interest," the post added. The remarks came after Attorney General Miara announced pending charges against Urich ahead of a government panel hearing scheduled for Monday to consider her potential dismissal. Reports suggest that the prosecutors alleged that Urich, together with Eli Feldstein, a former military spokesman for Netanyahu, leaked classified Israel Defence Forces (IDF) documents to the press, a case that has embroiled the Prime Minister's Office. "This was information classified at the highest possible level that was obtained through secret intelligence means, and Urich, by exposing it, may have endangered state security and lives," the Attorney General's Office said in a statement to the press. "The release of classified information by Urich and Feldstein was intended, among other things, to influence public opinion regarding the Prime Minister, and to shift the discourse at the time regarding the murder of the six hostages in August 2024," the statement added. However, Urich's lawyers Amit Hadad and Noa Milstein asserted that their client "denies all the allegations against him", and that he "never possessed and never transmitted a classified document and definitely didn't harm national security". They called the attorney general's announcement "baseless" which "comes at a timing that isn't coincidental", adding that Urich's "innocence will be proven beyond doubt".
