Lebanon has detained the Turkish power ships that have been providing it with electricity amid an investigation into potential briberies and corruption.
In the decision on Thursday to detain the ships Fatmagül Sultan and Orhan Bey, Financial Prosecutor Judge Ali Ibrahim stated that the move resulted from a suspected violation of the contract signed with Lebanon.
The Judge is investigating “brokers, commission, or corruption” in the dealership of ships producing electricity, and has instructed the Finance Ministry to refrain from paying the amounts owed to the Turkish companies, Karpowership and Karadeniz until they return $25 million to the Lebanese state.
The decision to detain the ships has been circulated to General Security, Customs, the Internal Security Forces, and the Lebanese Army, to guarantee its execution.
Judge Ibrahim has also issued a search and investigation warrant for “the owner or owners of the two companies.”
Lebanese officials could be held accountable if corruption suspicions in regards to this case were confirmed.
Back in March, the Lebanese authorities issued an order to detain the representative of Karadeniz in Lebanon for his alleged involvement in the payment of bribes and commissions to close the power ships deal with the Lebanese state.
The Turkish ships, which started providing Lebanon with electricity back in 2013, cover around 40% of the country’s power consumption. Their service cost Lebanon around $850 million annually.
