Qortbawi Says Results of Roumieh Funds Mismanagement to be Made Public

The results of an investigation into corruption in renovation work at Roumieh prison will be made public, said Caretaker Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi on Wednesday.

“The results of the probe will be revealed to the public opinion,” Qortbawi told reporters at the Grand Serail after attending a meeting headed by Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati to discuss the issue.

“This file has been opened and will only be closed through judicial procedures,” he said.

During the meeting, which was attended by several judges, including the acting general prosecutor, Miqati called for following up the issue and referring those responsible to the judiciary.

The authorities “will not be lenient” with the suspects, said Miqati, according to a press release.

According to Qortbawi, the prison's main issues include its renovation, which caretaker Deputy PM Samir Moqbel and State Minister Marwan Khaireddine have taken charge of, and the judicial aspect of it.

“Neither I nor the Prime Minister will interfere in the judiciary's work,” Qortbawi said.

Moqbel has said that the funds allocated to renovate the country's largest prison facility had been wasted and squandered on commissions.

Miqati headed a similar meeting on Monday.