Legal, Parliamentary, and Media Voices Consider the Arrest of Oil Minister “Mohamed Aoun” as Targeting His Stance Against Concessionary Contracts of Libya’s Wealth

Our source at the Ministry of Oil revealed that Oil Minister Mohamed Aoun was arrested while attempting to travel through Mitiga Airport, suggesting that the reason is linked to investigations carried out by judicial authorities into Libyan oil files.

Member of Parliament “Miloud Al-Aswad” commented in a statement to our source: “Voices of truth that reject squandering the livelihood of Libyans, entangling the country in unfair long-term contracts, and opposing political deals at the expense of resources are voices that are not allowed to rise.”

Economic journalist “Ahmed Al-Sanussi” said: “Billions lost to adulterated fuel, a Turkish company monopolizing fuel exports at outrageous prices, a collapsed institution, companies devoured by Arkenu, and a National Oil Corporation signing corrupt or foolish contracts with international companies! Amid all this chaos, corruption, rot, and decay, we hear of a former oil minister being dragged over a trivial case from 2005! A case twenty years old, while the real disasters are happening this year, today, even this very second. There’s something suspicious here, something hidden, and nearly half a billion in losses because of a stupid or corrupt contract signed by Dbeibeh’s government.”

Lawyer “Thuraya Al-Twaibi” said: “For the second time, Oil Minister Mohamed Aoun is being investigated. We wonder: have all the corruption cases mentioned in the Audit Bureau’s report been resolved, and now we’ve turned to 2005 files? What files did this combative minister touch that made them dig into the past? The Administrative Control Authority once investigated him over renegotiating agreements that reduced foreign companies’ share of production from 70% to 30%. That investigation was used to remove him from office and appoint a deputy minister so he wouldn’t block deals opposed to our interests.”

She added: “And now, we don’t know what the new charge is that ignored all legal violations and public money waste to be investigated instead. Did he commit something that requires removing him once again, to clear the way for passing deals even worse than those listed in the Audit Bureau’s report?”

Legal advisor “Hisham Al-Harati” stated exclusively to Sada Economic: “In light of the news surrounding the arrest of Oil Minister Mohamed Aoun, we emphasize the necessity for authorities to adhere to legal principles and individual rights in all procedures taken regarding this case. Although the relevant bodies have the right to take appropriate legal measures, this must be done with transparency and compliance with legal frameworks that guarantee individual rights and the right to defense.”

He added: “Given the ambiguity surrounding the charges on which the minister was arrested, the concerned authorities must disclose all details of the investigations and related evidence to ensure judicial procedures proceed in line with principles of justice and fairness. Civil society and the public also have the right to follow the course of the investigations and their results with full transparency.”

Al-Harati said: “We affirm the principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty,’ and we call for refraining from interpreting facts or legal cases before official procedures are complete and the accuracy of circulated information is confirmed. In this context, investigations must be conducted in accordance with the law, while ensuring the accused can exercise his right to defend himself.”

He concluded: “The interest of justice and the protection of individual rights remain the foundation of any legal case. We call on the competent authorities to provide the necessary clarifications to ensure justice is achieved and all legal guarantees are upheld.”