The General Directorate of State Security - Department of Information, Guidance and Public Relations issued a statement saying: “Based on information available to the General Directorate of State Security regarding the occurrence of embezzlement and falsification of invoices in the Scientific and Agricultural Research Department in Zahle, the Bekaa Regional Directorate conducted a judicial investigation.” He added, "As a result of the investigation, it was revealed that there were fictitious contracts to purchase supplies and equipment through non-existent companies for the department's scientific laboratories, estimated at tens of thousands of dollars, which constitutes a waste and embezzlement of public funds." The statement continued: “Based on a signal from the Financial Prosecutor, Judge Maher Shaito, the former Director General (M.A.) was arrested along with three employees, (A.A.), (M.B.) and (Z.M.).” He concluded: “A number of employees were also released in exchange for residence permits, and a decision was issued to prevent them from traveling. The investigation was concluded, and the detainees were transferred with the seized items to the competent judiciary.”