The family of Libyan journalist Ashraf Al-Sharif has issued an urgent appeal to the Presidential Council and Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba to intervene in his case, following his second arrest within days, under unclear circumstances.
According to the family, Al-Sharif’s charges remain unknown, raising concerns over the legality and transparency of his detention. They called on relevant authorities to clarify the reasons behind his arrest so they can assign legal representation and ensure access to him for reassurance and legal rights.
Al-Sharif was re-arrested just hours after being released, despite having appeared in a video statement confirming that his initial kidnapping was a “misunderstanding.” His sudden re-apprehension has fueled public concern over freedom of expression and due process in Tripoli.
The journalist was originally abducted by unidentified armed men outside his home in the Ben Ashour district of Tripoli. The circumstances surrounding his detention have yet to be publicly addressed by any official body.
Human rights advocates and press freedom organizations have also begun voicing concern over the apparent lack of transparency in Al-Sharif’s case, urging authorities to uphold legal standards and protect journalists from unlawful detention.