The Libyan Attorney General’s Office has ordered the detention of four individuals accused of murdering Murad Al-Werfali in the eastern city of Benghazi. The incident occurred after Al-Werfali resisted an armed group’s attempt to forcibly seize his farm in the Sidi Faraj area.
According to the victim’s family, the armed group had pressured Al-Werfali for weeks to sell his land, which he repeatedly refused. On Thursday, two gunmen in civilian clothing, reportedly affiliated with a security agency, stormed the farm and shot Al-Werfali twice. He was then transported to Benghazi’s Venice Hospital in critical condition.
In a disturbing escalation, the same gunmen allegedly entered the hospital and executed Al-Werfali, despite his condition. The attack shocked both medical staff and bystanders. Human rights group, the Libyan Crimes Watch (LCW), reported that the assailants also arbitrarily detained three of Al-Werfali’s brothers for several hours without any legal justification before eventually releasing them.
The victim’s relatives revealed that the family had endured continuous threats and intimidation for nearly a month due to their refusal to relinquish the property. This campaign of harassment reportedly culminated in Al-Werfali’s assassination.
The Attorney General’s decision to detain the suspects is seen as a critical step toward accountability, especially amid growing concerns about armed groups exploiting their power under the guise of state institutions.
The incident has sparked outrage among civil society organisations, who are calling for urgent measures to disband armed factions operating without oversight and ensure greater protection for civilians.
