Ousted HRC Chief, Employee Charged with Embezzlement in Sinking Ferry Case

Financial Prosecutor Judge Ali Ibrahim charged on Wednesday ousted Higher Relief Council chief Ibrahim Bashir and an employee with embezzlement of public funds and bribery.

According to the state-run National News Agency, the charges are linked to the sinking of a ferry off the coast of Indonesia in October 2013.

Twenty-eight Lebanese asylum-seekers drowned in a boat sinking off Indonesia in late September as they sought to sail to Australia.

The asylum-seekers were reportedly the victims of people smugglers who prey on them and Syrian refugees seeking to better their lives.

The two suspects were referred to Beirut Examining Magistrate Ghassan Owaidat for further investigation.

Bashir is the former secretary-general of the HRC, which helps Lebanese citizens and communities hit by natural and man-made disasters.

An arrest warrant has been already issued against Bashir, his wife and two other suspects after they were charged with embezzlement of state funds, smuggling and money laundering.

Local media reports have said they have embezzled around $10 million.

The defendants face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.