The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Libya’s House of Representatives, Youssef Al-Agouri, met with Claudia Gazzini, Libya expert at the International Crisis Group, to address the plight of four Libyan footballers detained in Italy since 2015.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Dialogues Forum in Rome, focused on their health conditions, the progress of their legal proceedings, and the prisoner exchange agreement signed between Libya and Italy.
The four footballers, including Tarek Jumaa Al-Amami, were accused of human trafficking and sentenced to 30 years in prison following allegations of smuggling migrants. They deny the charges, asserting they sought professional football opportunities in Europe and were unjustly accused after a tragic incident at sea.
Gazzini emphasised the importance of the Libyan parliament ratifying the agreement, noting the need for coordination between Libyan and Italian lawmakers. She also urged continuous efforts from Libyan authorities to advocate for the players’ transfer to Libya, allowing them to serve the remainder of their sentences closer to their families.
Al-Agouri assured Gazzini of the Libyan parliament’s commitment to addressing the issue, highlighting its priority to finalise the prisoner exchange treaty. He stressed the importance of securing the players’ return to Libya and extended gratitude to Gazzini for her efforts in monitoring the detainees’ situation.
The players’ families have staged multiple protests in Libya, demanding government intervention. While Italy has rejected calls for their release and transfer, recent court rulings in Italy and Libya’s active pursuit of ratification signal potential progress in resolving the case.
