Gunmen close to Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba kidnapped an activist who filmed the PM’s convoy ramming into a car, as they passed through the city of Misrata.
The National Commission for Human Rights in Libya (NCHRL) expressed concerns about the kidnapping of activist Faisal Abu Bakr Belhaj from his workplace. Armed members of the GNU’s “Joint Operations Force” took Belhaj to an unknown location on Saturday.
Hours before his kidnapping, Belhaj had posted a video on Facebook, documenting the incident.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the NCHRL expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of kidnappings, enforced disappearances, and illegal detention of citizens.
“This is a grave violation against human rights and citizenship, a violation of civil and political rights, and an infringement of freedom of opinion and expression,” the NCHRL said in a statement.
It demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Belhaj, and held the PM responsible for his kidnapping. It also called on the Attorney General’s Office to open an investigation into the incident, and ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable.
The owner of the vehicle reportedly received a new car, as compensation for the incident.