The United Nations mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called for the immediate release of a journalist arbitrarily detained in Tripoli on Saturday. In the statement, the UNSMIL further requested Libyan authorities to protect all journalists and media workers.

The UNSMIL warns:

Stifling journalists’ reporting fosters a climate of fear and undermines the environment needed 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.

Journalist Ahmed Al-Sennusi is the chief editor of the newspaper “Sada” and host of the TV programme “Flusna” on Al-Wasat TV. He has been detained following his publication of documents exposing corruption within the Ministry of Economy and Trade of the interim Government of National Unity and its minister, Mohamed Al-Hwaij. Al-Sanussi was taken into custody by armed security forces after returning from Tunisia. His family has confirmed the arrest, expressing deep concern over the arbitrary nature of his detention. The family has reportedly lost contact with him after he left his apartment in Tripoli.

Al-Sanussi had previously warned the Internal Security Agency Head Lutfi Al-Harari of the consequences of threatening and arresting journalists working for Sada.

Libya’s independent media, which emerged after the 2011 uprising that toppled the dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi, continues to struggle with political instability and the influence of powerful militias. The interim Government of National Unity, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, has been struggling to maintain order and establish a unified government amidst this chaos. The arrest of Sanussi underscores the situation for journalists working in such conditions, where they often face intimidation and arbitrary arrests.

Joost Klarenbeek, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Libya, states:

“Safety and rights of journalists must be protected, and any acts of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, or mistreatment must be thoroughly investigated.”

The Committee to Protect Journalists has also demanded that the Libyan government release the journalist from detention on Friday. The committee criticises the lack of transparency regarding Al-Sanussi’s whereabouts and the reasons for his arrest.