By Rayane Abou Jaoude
BEIRUT: Caretaker Interior Minister expressed outrage Monday at the decrepit conditions of a jail block currently under renovation at Lebanon’s largest prison.
“What I have seen so far, in all honesty, is unacceptable,” Charbel said on a visit to Roumieh prison.
“I refuse to pay another lira until [the block] follows the [blueprint] that was made,” he said.
Renovations for block D of the jail began about seven months ago, and two other buildings are currently under maintenance as well. Approximately $2 million have been allocated for each of the buildings.
Charbel said that the Interior Ministry and the director-general of the Internal Security Forces would cooperate in order to improve production and maintenance of the other two buildings, and that both the contractor and the person behind drawing up the plans for the renovations would be reprimanded.
"Let the contractor hear this, both the contractor and the one who made the blueprint, so that they are both reprimanded," he said.
“Rather than improve the situation of the prison and the prisoners, we have paid millions and the prison has remained unchanged, so much so that health issues have been disregarded,” Charbel said, criticizing the conditions of the toilets and lack of water availability.
He vowed that no money would be spent until block D was properly renovated.
Charbel also visited a renovated courtroom in the prison and said it was now in excellent condition and ready to be used for trials, not only for detained Islamists but for all the prisoners.
He also urged the Higher Judicial Council and justice minister to begin using the courtroom as soon as possible.
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15/07/2013
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