Report: 5 Top Employees Referred for Prosecution over Red Diesel Scandal

Around five high-ranking employees at the oil refineries and the consumer protection authority have been accused of involvement in the red diesel scandal, al-Liwaa newspaper reported on Friday.

The daily quoted a judicial official as saying that the Audit Bureau’s general prosecutor, Bassam Wehbe, issued his investigation report last Saturday and referred the five officials for prosecution.

Al-Liwaa said the five people include the director-general of oil refineries, the directors-general of the Zahrani and Tripoli refineries and the director-general of the consumer protection authority at the economy ministry.

The scandal erupted after shortages in the household heating fuel exposed deals made on January 18 - the last day of the government’s one-month subsidy of LL3,000 per jerry can - that included the sale of huge amounts of red diesel to oil distribution companies.

The companies have reportedly made millions of dollars in profits after selling an alleged 8 million liters at a nonsubsidized price after the end of the subsidy period.

Energy Minister Jebran Bassil and Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas have launched separate investigations into the case.