The political divide in Libya is at risk of further escalation after the recent arrest of a minister from the eastern-based government led by Osama Hammad.
The arrest took place in Misrata, a city controlled by the interim Government of National Unity (GNU) under Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbaiba.
On Thursday night, Misrata’s Joint Operations Force detained Mohamed Suleiman Bouzgaia, Minister of State for Legislative Affairs in the eastern government.
He was visiting his family when security forces arrested him.
Hammad’s government immediately condemned the arrest. It stated that, despite Libya’s political divisions, officials should be able to travel freely.
The government called the arrest unlawful and warned that such actions could threaten national unity.
On Friday evening, the Joint Operations Force released Bouzgaia. It explained that his arrest was based on an order from the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
He was accused of fraud involving over 2 million Libyan dinars and forging land ownership documents.
Authorities claimed they followed legal procedures. They reported the arrest to the Public Prosecutor and began interrogations. However, shortly after, the West Misrata Prosecutor’s Office ordered his release. He was freed immediately.
The arrest has sparked speculation. Some analysts believe it was a routine legal matter. Others see it as a political move.
In Libya, high-profile arrests often require approval from top officials, making the incident highly sensitive.
Libya has been divided between two competing administrations since March 2022. The eastern-based House of Representatives dismissed Dbaiba and appointed a new government. First, it chose Fathi Bashagha as Prime Minister. Later, in May 2023, it replaced him with Osama Hammad. Meanwhile, Dbaiba has refused to step down, keeping control in in the western region of the country.
