Libyan security forces have arrested an individual involved in several robberies, using a toy plastic gun. The incident unfolded in Benghazi, when a complaint was filed about an armed man stopping him near the Benghazi North Club, and stealing his mobile phone.
Responding to the complaint, police launched an investigation, gathering information and video footage from surveillance cameras that helped identify the suspect’s vehicle.
The vehicle was found near the Garden Market, and the suspect was apprehended. A precautionary search revealed the toy plastic gun.
During questioning, the suspect, born in 1998, initially denied the allegations. However, a close examination of the vehicle led to the discovery of the complainant’s car key inside the suspect’s car.
Confronted with the video footage and evidence, the suspect eventually confessed to the robberies.
The suspect has been referred to the public prosecutor’s office, to complete the necessary legal procedures against him.
Libya has been marked by political instability and violent conflict since the fall of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011. In the aftermath of the Arab Spring, Libya fell into a prolonged civil war, resulting in divided authorities, economic collapse, and a humanitarian crisis.
In February, Libyan security forces announced the seizure of “advanced and dangerous weapons” that were hidden in the desert, and due to be smuggled to Egypt.
The Director of the Tobruk Security Directorate in eastern Libya, said in a press briefing that the “weapons were seized in the southeastern region, in the village of Jaghbub, after we monitored suspicious movements in the region.”
He added that the weapons were confiscated, and called on citizens to “take advantage of the seven-day deadline granted by the Ministry of the Interior to hand over their weapons.”
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior in the Libyan Parliament-designated government, Faraj Qaim, confirmed the launch of an expanded campaign to collect weapons in the areas controlled by the Libyan National Army (LNA) armed forces.
He added that the expanded campaign has include even the search of homes, and whoever refuses to hand over what is in his possession to the nearest camp or directorate will be referred to the Anti-Terrorism Prosecution.
He stated that anyone who violates this will be subject to legal accountability and referred to the Anti-Terror Prosecution, because the military weapon falls within the scope of the terrorism law, “state security issues.”