BEIRUT: Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati tasked judicial authorities Wednesday with probing the case of allegedly mismanaged funds to renovate Roumieh prison, a statement from Mikati’s office said.
“Mikati asked the Public Prosecution, Financial Prosecution and the Central Inspection Bureau to follow up investigations as soon as possible until the matter is clear and those responsible are brought to justice,” the statement said.
Mikati assured that the issue will be dealt with firmly “apart from any considerations of any kind.”
The PM’s comments came as he chaired a ministerial meeting in the Grand Serail to follow up on the Roumieh case.
Caretaker Justice Minister, Shakib Qortbawi, who attended the meeting, said “the results of the investigation will be announced to the public once it is complete.”
Last year, the government allocated $8.5 million to renovate Lebanon’s largest prison facility, which suffers from chronic overcrowding.
Charbel inspected the facility last month with renewed indignation at the subpar conditions of Block D.
He complained that the renovations had not prioritized the basic needs of prisoners and that funds had been mismanaged.
The renovations began in January.
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09/10/2013
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