The Central Commission for Control and Inspection revealed preliminary results of an extensive field and technical investigation into the entry of wheat infected with the nematode pest into the branch of the General Seed Multiplication Corporation in Hama province during the former regime, causing severe material damages estimated at more than four billion Syrian pounds, with potential increases as specialized committees complete their work.

The commission explained via its official channel that investigations recorded serious violations, including the entry of laboratory-rejected grain quantities, unjustified modifications in the receiving mechanism, alongside ignoring technical warnings, which led to the spread of nematode cyst infections and insect infestations of the “Khabbara” type in the corporation’s warehouses, posing a direct threat to the soil and wheat crop in the near and long term.

The case started based on data received from the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in November 2023 regarding violations at the Seed Multiplication branch in Hama. In 2024, the commission launched a field investigation mission supported by specialized technical expertise, resulting in serious preliminary indicators, most notably laboratory rejection of infected quantities, failure to deliver them to the competent authority, and unjustified modifications in the receiving mechanism.

The competent authorities classified “nematode” among high-risk pests in plant quarantine due to its destructive impact on soil and wheat crops, prompting the Ministry of Agriculture to take urgent technical measures to prevent the spread of the pest.

The commission recommended precautionary measures to protect public funds, including precautionary seizure of movable and immovable assets of those mentioned in the investigation file and their spouses, and travel bans until investigations are completed. The commission is also working on accurately defining responsibility locations based on available evidence and clues, in preparation for referring violations according to applicable laws and regulations.

The Central Commission for Control and Inspection confirmed its continuation in completing technical, financial, and administrative investigations in coordination with relevant authorities, adhering to transparency principles in informing the public of developments without compromising investigation confidentiality and procedural integrity, affirming the presumption of innocence for all parties until final results, decisions, or rulings are issued.

The commission called on workers and those concerned in the agricultural sector to cooperate with inspection teams and technical committees and report through approved complaint channels any information that could support efforts to protect the national product and preserve public funds.

Last August, Dr. Issam Al-Khalif, Deputy Head of the Central Commission for Control and Inspection, revealed to SANA a corruption case that began in 2017 related to the operation of one of Syria’s most important gas facilities, involving the then Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources, which increased the suffering of Syrian families.