Libya/ Deadly Flood: Eight Officials in Pre-trial Detention
On September 10, the city of Derna, in eastern Libya, was hit by devastating floods resulting from the rupture of two dams. Following this tragic event, the Libyan attorney general, Al Siddiq Al Sour, took action by ordering the pre-trial detention of eight officials.
This decision comes as part of an investigation to establish responsibilities in the management of dams that have failed.
Seven of the people targeted by this measure held or held senior positions in the Water Resources Department or the Dam Management Department in Libya. The mayor of Derna, Abdulmonem al-Ghaithi, who was removed from office with the city council after the disaster, is also affected. Pre-trial detention was ordered for the duration of the trial.
The charges against those responsible relate to «negligence in disaster prevention». According to the prosecution, the defendants «could not refute their responsibility for the mismanagement of administrative and financial missions that were incumbent on them». As for the mayor, he faces accusations of «abuse of office and mismanagement of funds allocated to the development of the city»
The investigation reveals reports of cracks on dams as early as 1998 by the dam management, but no corrective action has been taken since. The Attorney General’s decision marks a crucial step towards establishing accountability and justice for the victims of this disaster. The eight officials will remain behind bars at least until the end of the investigation.
