The Head of the National Commission for Human Rights in Libya (NCHRL), Ahmed Hamza, accused the outgoing Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdelhamid Al-Dbaiba, of violating the rule of law.
Hamza’s statement came after Al-Dbaiba issued a decision allowing the recently released Minister of Culture to take up her position again.
In a post on Facebook, Hamza said that Al-Dbaiba’s decision is a clear violation of the law and shows that he is tampering with the investigation.
“Toughi’s return to her job was in violation of the terms of the precautionary suspension from work,” Hamza said.
“The precautionary suspension from work ends with the end of the investigation period with the minister, which has not happened so far,” he explained.
In December 2021, Libya’s Attorney General, Al-Siddiq Al-Sour, ordered the detainment of Toughi on allegations of corruption.
Toughi, an academic with a degree in nuclear physics was appointed in March 2021, as part of the country’s interim GNU. The prosecution said it was investigating possible “negligence” in the case.
In January 2022, Toughi was realeased pending the completion of investigations. The Attorney General called for Al-Dbaiba to suspend the Minister from her work while ensuring that she frequent his office three days a week.
The Attorney General also ordered the withdrawal of the Minister’s passport and issued a decision to prevent her from traveling after her placement within the port anticipation system.