In a report, Amnesty International accuses the Internal Security Agency, which is part of the Libyan National Army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, of being responsible for the deaths of people in custody, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions.
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Led by Osama al-Derssi, the internal security agency, known as ” armed group ” by Amnesty, terrorizes detractors and opponents, including political party leaders, activists, journalists and bloggers.
According to theNGOdozens of people have been arrested in the east of the Libya without a warrant and by heavily armed men. These people are deprived of contact with their families or lawyers, they are mistreated and are never tried or brought before a civil judicial authority.
“Violating the right to life”
Two people died in detention in suspicious circumstances in Benghazi and Ajdabia. No independent investigation has been conducted. Amnesty is calling for the suspension of those responsible for these abuses and also for an independent investigation to be opened. Among those arbitrarily arrested is a blogger from Sebha, Maryam Mansour el Werfalli. In January, she criticized the management of the gas shortage in her city.
Another example is Sheikh Ali Mesbah abou Sbiha, 77, head of the supreme council of the Fezzan tribes, who is critical of arbitrary arrests. He was released last June but had to flee his home after receiving threats.
In its report, Amnesty is particularly concerned because this agency has intensified its repression since the beginning of the year. The NGO denounces ” persistent impunity ” for these abuses and serious human rights violations committed by armed groups operating under the leadership of the Libyan National Army.
” The increase in arbitrary detentions and deaths in custody shows that the culture of impunity allows armed groups to violate the right to life of detainees without fear of consequences. “, declared Bassam Al Kantar, Libya specialist at Amnesty, quoted in the press release.