11 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Wednesday denounced the kidnapping of activist Al Moatassim Areebi by a group of armed men dressed in civilian clothes in the city of Misrata, in the northwest of the country, and called for both his “immediate release” and an investigation into the matter.
“UNSMIL is deeply concerned by reports of another kidnapping, this time in Misrata. On 8 July, political activist Al Moatassim Areebi, 29, was abducted by unidentified gunmen in civilian clothes along with Mohamed Shtewi. While Shtewi was released after being beaten, Al Areebi’s whereabouts remain unknown,” read a statement from the Mission posted on its social media account X.
In this regard, he echoed calls made by members of the Misrata Municipal Council and community representatives to urge security forces and authorities to launch an investigation leading to the “disclosure of his whereabouts” and to ensure “his safe and immediate release.”
In addition, the UN has reported on at least 60 documented cases of people detained in Libya for their “real or alleged” political affiliation, for which it has called for the “immediate and unconditional” release of all of them and for those responsible to be held accountable.
“The actual number of people detained for peacefully expressing their political views may be much higher. Reports of arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, ill-treatment, torture and deaths in custody committed with impunity continue to plague Libya. These unlawful practices have created a climate of fear, shrinking civic space and eroding the rule of law,” UNSMIL added.
Libya is divided into two administrations after the House of Representatives terminated the mandate of the then Prime Minister, Abdul Hamid Dbeibé, by postponing the presidential elections in December 2021 and appointed Fazi Bashaga to the post. He was subsequently suspended from his duties and replaced by the then Minister of Finance, Osama Hamad.
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