Amnesty International condemns enforced disappearance of Libyan military prosecutor

This content was published on Jul 31, 2023 – 18:20

July 31, 2023 – 18:20

Tripoli, 31 July (EFE) – Amnesty International today condemned Libyan military prosecutor Farouq Alsqidig Abdulsalam Ben Saeed for his forced disappearance after he was kidnapped by a group of plainclothes armed men in Tripoli on June 26, asking the authorities for immediate disclosure. his whereabouts.

Despite his complaints to the police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, his family has yet to receive information about his situation or the charges against him, although according to some credible reports he may have been detained by the Anti-Terrorism and Organized Crime Special Dissuasion Force (RADA ), the group explained in a statement sent to EFE.

NGOs fear for Ben’s safety as the powerful militia, overseen by the Government of National Accord (GUN), is known for human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances, killings, torture and prolonged arbitrary detention with impunity. He was in poor health, suffering from complications from chronic bronchitis.

Amnesty believes this may be retaliation for his refusal to cooperate or obey its instructions, and calls for immediate access to family, lawyers and appropriate medical care before his release.

Ben Saeed, 52, was on the street with his teenage children when several men stopped him without showing a warrant or explaining why and forced the family into a car , took them to an unknown destination. The children were released two hours later and said they had been transferred to the capital’s Mitiga prison, which is under RADA control.

According to information gathered by Amnesty International, the Ministry of Public Affairs never asked him to appear in court for questioning and therefore could not intervene without formal notification of his arrest.

A month earlier, the militia had detained former finance minister Faraj Boumtari for nearly a week, his arrest sparking numerous protests and cordoning off Sharara and El Fir (El Feel) (southern) main well.

Amid a dispute between Libya’s two governments over the redistribution of oil profits, Bumtari announced his intention to run for the governorship of the Central Bank of Libya, replacing incumbent Sadiq Kabir.

RADA, founded in 2012 under the command of Abdel Raouf Kara, is one of the most powerful and feared militias in western Libya and has been incorporated into state institutions by successive governments, But no investigations were carried out to deport those responsible for human rights violations. Ai recalled.

Libya has two parallel governments sharing power: the Government of National Accord (GUN) led by Abdulhamid Debeba, headquartered in Tripoli; The appointments, led by Osama Hammad, were appointed in May to succeed Fathi Bashaga. EFE

Mark – NRM/FPA

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