Plant Protection and Agricultural Quarantine Heads Detained Over Banned Pesticides

Libya's Attorney General's Office has ordered the pretrial detention of three high-ranking officials from the National Centre for Plant Protection and Agricultural Quarantine. The accused include the Centre's Chairman, its Director General, and the Head of the Agricultural Extension Office in Tripoli.

Their detention stems from charges of negligence in their official duties concerning the evaluation and monitoring of agricultural pesticides. Prosecutors allege that this failure allowed banned pesticides to circulate within the country, posing risks to agriculture and public health. The investigation specifically addresses their inadequate assessment of imported pesticides, inspection of storage facilities, and oversight of traders.

Public outcry has been mounting over revelations that unhealthy and prohibited agricultural pesticides have been imported and widely used by farmers across Libya. The Attorney General's Office stated that public proceedings were initiated after an investigator confronted the three accused with the facts and legal charges against them.

The three officials have been remanded in custody pending further investigation. This action by the Attorney General's Office signals a move to hold accountable those responsible for regulatory failures that have led to the proliferation of banned agricultural chemicals in the Libyan market.