Tripoli Court Sentences Nine Defendants to Three Years in Prison for Illegal Crypto Mining at Zliten Iron Factory
The Tripoli Court of Appeal has sentenced nine individuals to three years in prison after they were found guilty of illegally exploiting state-owned equipment at the Zliten Iron Factory to mine cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin.
Authorities discovered that the defendants had covertly used factory machinery and power infrastructure to operate mining hardware, resulting in significant financial losses for the state-owned facility.
Ordered to Return Illegally Obtained Funds
In addition to the prison sentences, the court ruled that all nine defendants must return the profits generated from the unauthorized mining activity. The ruling emphasized that public-sector equipment and utilities were unlawfully used to generate private profits.
How the Crypto Mining Operation Worked
According to investigative reports, the group installed specialized mining devices inside the industrial site, taking advantage of the factory’s high electrical capacity and operational privacy. Prosecutors argued that this amounted to deliberate misuse of public funds and infrastructure.
- Mining devices were hidden within factory sections not monitored daily
- Electricity usage increased sharply, triggering internal suspicion
- Technicians detected abnormal power readings during routine maintenance
Libya Increasing Oversight on Crypto Activities
Libyan authorities have been tightening restrictions on unauthorized cryptocurrency mining due to concerns over energy theft, financial crimes, and misuse of public-sector assets. This case marks one of the strongest legal responses yet.
The ruling signals a clear message: the state will not tolerate exploitation of national infrastructure for private crypto mining operations.
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