The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed concern on Saturday over the "arbitrary arrest and detention" of journalist Ahmed Al-Senussi in Tripoli, calling for his immediate release.
In a statement on its X account, the mission stated that cracking down on journalists fosters a climate of fear and undermines the environment necessary for Libya's democratic transition.
"A thriving civic space, where Libyans can engage in open and safe debate and dialogue exercising their right to freedom of expression is essential," the UNSMIL stated, urging Libyan authorities to protect journalists and media workers.
Contact with Al-Senussi was lost hours after he arrived in Tripoli from Tunisia. He had come to follow up on the detention of journalists working for the Sada news website by the Internal Security Agency in Tripoli after they published documents related to corruption cases in the Ministry of Economy and Trade under the Government of National Unity and Minister Mohamed Al-Hweij.
