Libya’s Internal Security Agency (ISA) has released a video showing journalist Ahmed Al-Sunussi making what the agency claims are confessions. This comes just a day after Al-Sunussi was released by the Attorney General’s office. In the video, Al-Sunussi discusses the reasons behind his detention, which the agency states is linked to a complaint filed by the Minister of Economy and Trade, Mohammed Al-Hwaij.
The complaint involves the publication of documents and information about the ministry’s work on the Facebook page of the economic newspaper “Sada”. These documents were reportedly shared without the ministry’s knowledge or permission. The video also includes images of Al-Sunussi’s conversations with sources on his personal Facebook account, as well as audio recordings.
The Internal Security Agency attached a lengthy statement to the video, explaining that the detention was due to Al-Sunussi’s publication of documents related to the Ministry of Economy. The statement claims that the agency acted within its legal powers to protect state institutions and their information. It highlights that the agency’s actions were based on the complaint from Minister Al-Hwaij, stating that “Sada” newspaper published protected documents on social media without the ministry’s consent.
The video also mentions the names of some of Al-Sunussi’s sources and how he obtained the information. However, the Internal Security Agency did not address the validity of the published information, which involved allegations of corruption in the Ministry of Economy.
Last Sunday, the Attorney General ordered the release of Al-Sunussi, the owner of “Sada” newspaper, after he was detained by the Internal Security Agency for three days. His detention followed the publication of documents concerning corruption cases in the Ministry of Economy and Trade of the Government of National Unity.
The United States has welcomed the release of Libyan journalist Ahmed Al-Senussi after his three-day detention by the Internal Security Agency.
In a statement issued on Monday, the US Embassy in Libya highlighted the critical role of a free press in promoting the exchange of ideas and enhancing transparency and accountability.
The embassy emphasized that these elements are essential for the success of Libya’s democratic transition.
The statement added, “Journalists must be able to perform their vital work without fear of arbitrary arrest.”
Earlier this week, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called for the immediate and safe release of Libyan journalist Ahmed Al-Senussi, who was kidnapped in Tripoli on Thursday.
Yeganeh Rezaian, the acting coordinator of CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa program, strongly condemned Al-Senussi’s detention. She stated, “We strongly denounce the arrest of Libyan TV host Ahmed Al-Senussi. It is unacceptable that the authorities have not disclosed his whereabouts or the reason for his detention.”
Rezaian emphasized that the authorities must release Al-Senussi unconditionally and ensure his safe return home.
The CPJ, an independent, non-profit, and non-governmental organization based in New York, highlighted in a statement that security forces arrested Al-Senussi. Al-Senussi is the owner of the Sada economic news website and the host of the “Flusna” program on Al-Wasat TV (Wtv). His detention came shortly after he published documents alleging corruption within the Ministry of Economy and Trade of the Government of National Unity and its Minister, Mohamed Al-Hwaij.
