Political activist and blogger Hussam Al-Gamati said that his brother, Mohammed, was arrested on Wednesday evening in the capital, Tripoli, by a security apparatus, saying there were no clear reasons for the arrest.
Al-Gamati explained that those who abducted his brother stormed his home under flimsy pretexts in front of neighbors. They searched his electronic devices, looking for anything that could incriminate him. He added that Mohammed was taken simply because he is "Hussam's brother", stressing that Mohammed has no connection to politics and also suffers from a serious illness and is undergoing treatment, "making it difficult for his captors to fabricate charges against him based on his condition," he said.
Hussam pointed out that he had not been in contact with his brother for some time in order to avoid dragging him or other family members into any trouble, according to a video he posted on social media.
He added: “What’s happening is aimed at intimidating people, but it won’t intimidate us. Our struggle has only grown stronger. Even if they kill my children or eliminate my family, we will not bow to blackmail.”
Hussam Al-Gamati is known for sharing news and information on his personal social media accounts that criticize Libya’s ruling elite and armed groups in both the east and west, as well as exposing corruption in government and military institutions, according to his video statement.
