2 April 2025: Spike of arbitrary arrests and abductions in Tripoli triggers condemnation
This week we look at a recent wave of political arrests in Tripoli, as well as renewed attempts to remove the current Audit Bureau chairman and fresh investigations into existing NOC deals.
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Spike of arbitrary arrests and abductions in Tripoli triggers condemnation; UNSMIL condemns arbitrary detentions and calls for releases
Incident: There has been a spate of politically-motivated arrests and kidnapping in Tripoli over the last few days.
On 23 March, Osama al-Rajhi, deputy mayor of the Tripoli Central municipality, was detained, probably by members of the Internal Security Agency (ISA). Days before, al-Rajhi announced his candidacy for the next municipal elections.
On 27 March, human rights activist and political blogger Hussam al-Gomati reported the kidnapping of his brother Muhammed Salem al-Gomati, an oil engineer with no political ties, from his home in Tajoura, east of Tripoli, on 24 March. Hussam condemned the act, stating that this act was intended to intimidate him but vowed to continue his activism against corruption and armed groups in Libya. He emphasized his commitment to his cause, even in the face of threats to his family.
On 27 March, the lawyer Muhammed al-Toumi al-Warfalli was kidnapped from his office in Tripoli by the Public Security Agency, which is led by Abdullah Trabelsi aka al-Farawila. Al-Toumi is a member of the Constitution Drafting Assembly. He was released a couple of hours later.
On 29 March, the Presidential Council (PC) announced the release of Hassan Jaballah, a Tarhuna House of Representatives (HoR) Member, after over two years of detention.
On 30 March, Libyan journalist Ashraf al-Sharif was kidnapped by unidentified armed men outside his home in Tripoli – Bin Ashour. The assailants, driving two unmarked civilian cars, took him to an unknown location. His recent work included hosting a Ramadan TV program, addressing issues like witchcraft and sorcery on the Salam satellite channel. Al-Sharif was released later in the evening and returned to his family.
On 31 March, Hussam al-Gomati said his brother was still being detained by forces affiliated with the PC and Government of National Unity (GNU), saying he therefore holds PC head Muhammed al-Menfi and GNU PM Abdel Hameed Dabaiba ‘fully legally and politically responsible for the abduction’ of his brother.
Many Libyan actors have condemned this flurry of arrests.
On 27 March, Libya Crime Watch (LCW) stated that it holds the PC and the Libyan Intelligence Service (LIS) responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of Muhammed al-Gomati. LCW has demanded his immediate and unconditional release and called for an end to intimidation and retaliation targeting activists and their families. The organization urged the Attorney General to conduct an urgent and transparent investigation, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure justice is served.
The National Institution for Human Rights criticized the arbitrary detention of al-Gomati by armed groups linked to the Libyan Intelligence Service, deeming it illegal and a severe violation of human rights. The institution expressed concerns over the broader escalation in human rights violations, including the targeting of legal professionals, human rights defenders, and journalists by authorities. It called for the immediate release of those detained, adherence to legal procedures, accountability for crimes, and an end to impunity for such violations, which undermine the rule of law and justice in Libya.
UNSMIL and some other internationals have also condemned the recent arrests.
On 22 March, UNSMIL highlighted systematic violations by law enforcement and security forces targeting individuals for political affiliations, silencing opposition, and undermining the judiciary. It noted that arbitrary detentions have extended to legal professionals, lawmakers, and other prominent figures, with many denied due process, legal representation, or medical care. Recorded confessions of detainees have been shared online to intimidate and humiliate. UNSMIL warned that these practices erode the rule of law, foster fear, and obstruct Libya's democratic transition, and called for accountability and unrestricted access to all detention facilities while renewing demands for the immediate release of arbitrarily detained individuals.
U.S. Special Envoy to Libya Ambassador Richard Norland also voiced growing concerns over arbitrary arrests and detentions in Libya. He urged the immediate release of all those detained unlawfully.
On 29 March, UNSMIL welcomed the ‘release of individuals, including some referred to in its recent statement on arbitrary arrests across Libya’ and stressed ‘that hundreds more languish in arbitrary detention throughout the country and calls for their immediate release’. It also expressed concern about the ‘enforced disappearance’ of al-Gomati and called on the authorities to investigate and disclose his whereabouts. The EU Delegation shared UNSMIL’s statement, welcoming the positive steps while expressing ‘deep concern’ over Muhammed al-Gomati.
Comment: In its statement on 22 March, UNSMIL noted several individual cases. It said that ‘the violent arrest of Judge Ali Al Shareef in Tripoli on 10 March, the continued arbitrary detention of lawyer Mounir Al-Orfi in Benghazi since 12 March and of two Military Prosecutors, Mansour Da’aoub and Mohammed al-Mabrouk al-Kar since 2022 in Tripoli, highlight increased threats against legal professionals and undermine their independence. It said that in Tripoli, HoR member ‘Ali Hassan Jaballah languished in arbitrary detention for more than a year before being sentenced in October 2024 by a military tribunal in a trial marred by irregularities and denial of due process rights.’ Libyan Asset Recovery Management Office (LARMO) head Mohamed Mensli has been arbitrarily detained since 7 January with little access to legal representation or medical care amid concerning reports of his deteriorating health. Khalifa Amghar Abdulrasul, a notable from Ghat, continues to be arbitrarily detained in Benghazi since May 2024 without charge, access to his lawyer or family.
HoR member Hassan Jaballah was arrested in February 2023 by the Special Deterrence Force (Rada) on charges of collaborating with the al-Kani militia, known for atrocities in Tarhuna. Despite an order by the Attorney General for his unconditional release, Rada initially ignored the directive. Jaballah was subjected to a military trial, despite his parliamentary immunity. His release followed legal procedures and was marked by a reception hosted by PC head Muhammed al-Menfi. The HoR issued a statement welcoming his release – it had also issued a statement earlier in the month demanding his release.
Significance: Arrests by militias and security forces without any legal basis are a popular means of intimidating political opponents and individuals who might pose a threat to the criminal activities of those in power. Nonetheless, it seems there has been a notable increase in the number of politically-motivated arrests and disappearances in Tripoli over the last month, with judicial and legislative figures increasingly targeted. The arrest of the brother of a political activist living abroad shows that any means are considered justified to exert pressure.
Rada’s arrest of Hassan Jaballah, a member of the HoR who actually enjoys immunity, without a warrant and despite an order for his release from the Attorney General for more than two years shows the limited influence of the judiciary over the militias. It is likely that the motivation behind this latest campaign is to silence and intimidate those who might protest against or make legal cases against the ongoing corruption and extortion of the militias and their political allies. Whether this is in anticipation of possible political, security or economic manoeuvres by these players is unclear.
UNSMIL’s statements highlighting and condemning the specific abductions of several key figures is notable as although UNSMIL and Western diplomats frequently reiterate the need for rule of law and condemn the impunity of Libyan armed groups, it is rare that they call out specific cases. It seems that this pressure yielded results, with several of those mentioned subsequently released. However, it is also true that most international actors want to ensure good working relationships with key armed groups and their political patrons both to protect strategic interests around migration, counter-terrorism and energy, and to ensure they can continue to operate safely from within Tripoli and the wider country.
The UN in particular also needs to be able to engage across the political and security spectrum (without being seen to be interfering) if it is to have any hope of moving forward with national elections. As such, it remains unlikely that the UN and internationals will be willing or able to halt the broader trend of increasingly draconian and arbitrary arrests and violence by armed groups against potential opponents or protestors, even if they are able to pressure the release of a few specific individuals.
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Internationals back Shakshak at Audit Bureau as al-Saiti tries to remove him
Incident: The Deputy Chairman of the Libyan Audit Bureau (AB) Attiyallah al-Saiti has ramped up his efforts to remove the AB Chairman Khaled Shakshak over the last two weeks. On 17 March, the Nalut Court of First Instance issued a judicial order suspending Shakshak from his duties as head of the Bureau. In consequence, the Court urged all Libyan authorities, including GNU PM Dabaiba, to disregard any decisions or instructions issued by him, pending a ruling of appeal, for which the Nalut Court has set a session for 9 April. On 24 March, al-Saiti issued an official warning to the Bureau’s Chairman Khaled Shakshak, giving him a final opportunity to hand over his duties or he would be referred to the Attorney General’s Office in the event of non-compliance.
Concerns around politicisation and corruption within the oil sector persist as Attorney General summons Bin Qadara for investigation over ENI deals
Incident: On 23 March, in implementation of the instructions of the Attorney General (AG), the Deputy Attorney General Osama Salem Tantoush reportedly wrote to the National Oil Corporation (NOC) Chairman requesting that he notify former NOC chairman Farhat bin Qadara that he is summoned for investigation. The AG wants to investigate the process concerning the Production Sharing Agreement for Contract Area D, which includes the offshore area 41 (Bahr Essalam) and the onshore area 169 (Al-Wafa Field), signed between the NOC and Italy’s ENI in January 2023 to ensure the development of structures A and E of Bahr Essalam.
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Internationals back Shakshak at Audit Bureau as al-Saiti tries to remove him
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