On Saturday, the Arab Organization for Human Rights in Libya (AOHR) condemned the abduction of journalist Ahmed Sennusi, calling for his immediate release, ensuring his safety, and allowing him to resume his journalistic work. The organization also urged the eradication of the “phenomenon of abduction.”
Abdulmonem Al-Hurr, the organization’s chairman, stated, “The abduction of Al Sennusi aims to silence voices and halt the exposure of corruption within Libyan institutions.” He emphasized the need to protect Sennusi for his “vital role in disseminating information” and to allow him to work freely, urging an end to the “policy of threats and persecution.”
He also expressed concern that Sanusi might be subjected to “torture and could become one of the forcibly disappeared.”
Journalist Ahmed Sennusi, owner of the economic newspaper “Sada” and host of the TV program “Flusna” on Wtv, has been detained for three days 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.
Sennusis family reported that he left his apartment in Tripoli on Thursday afternoon to run some errands, but then lost contact with him. Reliable sources confirmed that Al Sennusi is being held by the Internal Security Agency in Tripoli.
Subsequently, many media outlets confirmed that the Internal Security Agency is responsible for Sennusi’s detention, stating, “We have contacted law enforcement agencies in Libya, who confirmed that Ahmed Sanusi was detained on Thursday afternoon by the agency, without explaining the reasons behind this detention.”
Libya has been in turmoil since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011. The country has seen the rise of various militias and armed groups vying for control, leading to ongoing instability and conflict. 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.
Journalists in Libya face significant dangers, including abduction, harassment, and even murder. The abduction of Ahmed Sanusi highlights the perilous environment for media professionals in the country. Sanusi is known for his investigative work on corruption within Libyan institutions, and his detention raises serious concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists in Libya.
The ongoing crisis in Libya has severely affected the rule of law and the protection of human rights. Abductions and forced disappearances have become alarmingly common, with various armed groups and security agencies accused of perpetrating these acts. The case of Ahmed Sanusi is a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform and the establishment of a legal framework that protects journalists and upholds press freedom.
