Lebanon Electricity: Deterrent Measures Against Violators on the Electrical Grid

لبنان اليوم

The “Electricité du Liban” ( EDL) institution launched a wide-ranging national campaign since mid-September to remove all forms of encroachments on the electrical grid throughout the Lebanese territories.

This campaign comes with the support of the security forces and under the supervision of the competent judiciary, based on the national responsibility that rests with the institution to protect this vital public facility, after the noticeable increase in attacks on electrical networks in various regions in the recent period.

The institution reaffirms that the electrical grid is considered public property of the state, and that any attack on it or illegal extraction of electricity is a crime punishable by law strictly.

The statement issued by the institution pointed out that “Law No. 623 dated April 23, 1997 (related to tightening penalties for crimes of aggression against electricity, telephone and water),” stipulates in its first article a penalty of hard labor for a period ranging between 3 years and 10 years, in addition to bearing the costs of damages resulting from total or partial damage, for anyone who intentionally, in times of peace or war, demolishes or sabotages public electrical installations or equipment, such as production plants, switching stations, transmission and distribution lines, or makes them unfit for use in whole or in part”.

The statement added: “The aforementioned law also punishes in the second article with imprisonment from 3 months to 3 years anyone who illegally obtains electrical energy (hooking)”.

Accordingly, drawing electricity illegally or sabotaging public networks is a serious criminal act that exposes the perpetrator to prosecution and deterrent penalties.

In conclusion, the institution appealed to all citizens to immediately stop any form of encroachment on the public grid, whether through illegal extraction, tampering with meters, or tampering with transformers or cables, and affirms that it will not hesitate to file lawsuits before the competent judiciary and demand the application of the maximum penalties against violators.

The institution also called on citizens to fully cooperate with its field teams during the implementation of these campaigns, in order to preserve the public interest, ensure the continuity of the service, and achieve justice in the distribution of electrical energy in a balanced and orderly manner in all Lebanese regions.