The Derna Criminal Court issued its rulings on Sunday regarding the catastrophic floods that struck Derna in 2023, causing extensive damage and significant loss of life and property. According to a statement from the Libyan Attorney General’s Office, the court reviewed the cases involving 16 officials responsible for the Derna flood incident.
After thorough investigations and intensive interrogations, the court found 12 defendants guilty.
The court’s findings revealed severe negligence in duty performance and disregard for warnings about the condition of the dams. Libya 24 News detailed the sentences as follows:
* Nine years in prison and payment of compensation for defendants 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 11, and 12, who were directly involved in dam management.
* Nineteen years in prison and payment of compensation for defendant 10, a high-ranking dam management official, due to significant negligence and financial misconduct.
* Twenty-seven years in prison for defendant 13, who was primarily responsible for overall dam supervision but failed to take necessary actions despite repeated warnings.
* Twenty-six years in prison and payment of compensation for defendant 14, who played an active role in concealing long-standing technical defects in the dams.
* Nineteen years in prison and payment of compensation for defendant 15, reflecting his involvement in administrative and financial failures.
* Twenty-four years in prison and payment of compensation for defendant 16, who was involved in the project’s financial management and failed to ensure public safety.
Conversely, the court acquitted defendants 4, 5, 8, and 9 due to insufficient evidence to prove their direct negligence in the disaster.
