Former Libyan Airlines chairman detained pending investigation for alleged corruption

Libya's Attorney General's Office has ordered the pretrial detention of the former chairman of the board of directors of Libyan Airlines as part of a corruption investigation. The Public Prosecutor's Office announced the decision, signaling a significant move against alleged financial misconduct within the national carrier.

According to the Attorney General's Office, the former chairman is accused of manipulating the airline's operations to serve his personal interests. Specifically, he allegedly used the company's resources to embezzle approximately five million Libyan dinars. These funds were reportedly received from pilgrims during 2017 and 2018, under his supervision.

An investigation conducted by the Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office, operating under the Benghazi Court of Appeal, revealed further alleged illicit activities. The accused is said to have coerced pilgrims into paying for their travel tickets in foreign currency, with the funds then being appropriated for himself. This suggests a pattern of exploiting his position for personal enrichment.

In a separate instance uncovered during the review, the former chairman is also accused of misappropriating thirty thousand dollars. This sum was allegedly collected from thirty-three pilots in exchange for allowing them to enroll in a specialized training course. The Public Prosecutor's Office has ordered the accused's detention pending further investigation into these serious allegations.