Libyan journalist Ahmed Al-Sanussi continues to be in arbitrary detention for the third consecutive day, amid calls by, journalists, officials and human rights activists for his immediate release, holding the Government of National Unity responsible for his safety.
Family of Al-Sanussi, who works as editor-in-chief of the online newspaper Sada and who presents “Flosna” (Our Money) program on Al-Wasat channel, said that he left his apartment in Tripoli on Thursday afternoon before losing contact with him.
Meanwhile, sources confirmed that Al-Sanussi was detained by the Internal Security Agency in Tripoli. Al-Sanussi's detention came after the publication of documents related to corruption cases in the Ministry of Economy and Trade of the Government of National Unity and the Minister Mohammed Al-Huweij.
Before his arrest, Al-Sanussi appeared in a video clip warning Mohammed Al-Huweij and the Head of the Internal Security Agency, Lutfi Al-Harari, of the consequences of threatening and arresting journalists working for Sada newspaper after publishing those documents.
The High Council of State condemned, on Saturday, any kidnapping and extrajudicial detention, considering that such incidents had become a cause for concern after their appearance in various parts of the country. It called for those responsible for kidnappings and extrajudicial detention to be brought to justice, warning against negligence in prosecuting and deterring the perpetrators of such acts, as justifying this type of actions and behavior would be considered a justification for impunity.
The Arab Organization for Human Rights in Libya also condemned what it described as the “kidnapping” of journalist Al-Sanussi, calling for his release, ensuring his safety, securing his return to practicing his work, and eliminating the phenomenon of kidnapping.
The Head of the organization, Abdelmonem Al-Hur, said in a statement that the kidnapping of Al-Sanussi aimed to silence mouths, and stop the exposure of corruption operations in Libyan institutions,” stressing the need to strengthen the protection of Al-Sanussi, for his vital role in disseminating information, allowing him to work freely, and stopping what he described as a policy of threats and intimidation.
