Lebanon’s General Directorate of State Security has announced the arrest of a former director general and three employees in connection with an embezzlement and fraud case at the Agricultural Research Authority in Zahle.
In an official statement, the agency said the investigation was launched following intelligence reports indicating financial irregularities, including embezzlement and the falsification of invoices within the institution. A judicial probe carried out by the Bekaa regional directorate uncovered the use of fictitious contracts to procure laboratory equipment and supplies through non-existent companies.
The fraudulent activities are estimated to have cost tens of thousands of US dollars, representing a clear case of public fund misappropriation.
Based on instructions from Financial Prosecutor Maher Choueiti, authorities detained the former director general (identified as M.A.) along with three staff members (J.A.), (M.B.), and (Z.M.).
Additional employees were released under residence bonds, while travel bans were imposed as part of ongoing legal measures.
State Security confirmed that the investigation has been completed, and the detainees, along with the seized evidence, have been referred to the competent judicial authorities for further action.
