Rotten meat scandal continues, LBCI reveals names

Ten days have gone by since the disclosure of the rotten meat suppliers, yet no verdicts were issued against the eight suppliers who were arrested. However, during the first months of the current year, the judiciary issued several verdicts against 14 supermarkets, most important of which are “Aoun Food” and “Ahmad Abdul Jabbar Al Ali”.          

Surprisingly, while “Aoun Food” was fined with 25 million LBP, the final verdict was reduced to 500,000 LBP. As for “Ahmad Abdul Jabbar Al Ali”, it was fined three times, and instead being increased the second and third times, it was reduced from 25 million LBP to 2 million LBP.         

More than 30 institutions were sanctioned in 2011, including restaurants, supermarkets and suppliers. “Chopsticks” restaurant chain was fined with 25 million LBP, later reduced to 1 million LBP. “Diwan Al Hachem” paid a fine of 1 million LBP under penalty of imprisonment for three months and a 25 million LBP fine. As for “Al Boustan” hotel, it was acquitted for lack of evidence. TSC Supermarket was fined twice with 25 million LBP, reduced to 5 million LBP both times which means that the fine paid the first time was not enough to stop this outlet from committing the offense again; did the second fine prevent the recurrence of the offense?        

“Aoun Food”, “Yammine Bakery” and “Toque du chef” were all fined with 25 million LBP each, reduced to 1 or 2 million LBP.          

Minister of Economy Nicolas Nahhas said that we must not defame all restaurants since not all of them are involved in corruption. However, he told LBCI that no perpetrator will be covered.          

Finally, it is clear that the verdicts issued are not enough, yet they are being reduced while penalties must guarantee the non-recurrence of the offense.            

Awaiting the issuance of the suggested amendments to the current law, will the verdicts against violators be issued in virtue of the 2005 law? Or will the judiciary wait for double penalties to make sure the offense is not repeated?