Agricultural Bank officials jailed over corruption and loan fraud

Libya’s Attorney General has ordered the pretrial detention of the former branch manager of the Agricultural Bank in Al-Aziziyah and the branch’s former head of legal affairs, in connection with a long-running investigation into illicit enrichment and financial misconduct dating back to 2011.

In a statement obtained by Libyan Express on Saturday, the Attorney General’s Office said the charges stem from a series of banking operations uncovered at the Al-Aziziyah branch. Investigators found that the two suspects had approved a loan worth 2.75 million Libyan dinars (approximately $560,000) without securing the necessary collateral required by law.

The investigation also revealed that the accused had falsified borrower information to deliberately obstruct the repayment process—actions prosecutors say constitute clear abuse of public office and deliberate facilitation of financial fraud.

As a result, both individuals have been placed in pretrial custody as the investigation continues.

The case comes amid a broader national campaign against corruption. In May, Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh reaffirmed his government’s pledge to pursue accountability under the “Libya Free of Militias and Corruption” initiative, warning, “Those who continue to engage in corruption or blackmail will be held to account.”