The Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, Judge Jamal al-Hajjar, is set to hear testimony on Wednesday from former Minister of Industry and current MP Georges Bouchikian, who has been summoned as a witness in an ongoing corruption investigation.
The probe centers around allegations of bribery and extortion involving officials within the Ministry of Industry. According to preliminary reports, ministry employees are suspected of soliciting bribes from factory and industrial institution owners in exchange for granting them operating licenses.
Bouchikian, who served as Minister of Industry in the previous government, will provide testimony regarding complaints filed against him and others in the ministry. While he is not currently a suspect, investigators aim to determine whether he had knowledge of, or any connection to, the alleged misconduct.
Judicial sources say the investigation follows a series of formal complaints and media reports about systematic corruption, with some industrialists claiming they were pressured into paying large sums to secure licenses and avoid bureaucratic delays.
The case is being closely watched by anti-corruption advocates and business owners alike, amid broader public concern over transparency and accountability in Lebanon’s public institutions.
Bouchikian’s statement is expected to shed light on internal ministry practices and help clarify the chain of responsibility. It remains unclear whether the investigation will result in formal charges, but legal experts note that summoning a former minister, albeit as a witness, is a significant step.
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