Libyan security authorities have foiled an attempt to smuggle a suspected antiquity and arrested three individuals, including one Libyan and two Egyptian nationals, in the city of Tarhuna, officials said.
The operation was carried out by the Tourist Police and Antiquities Protection Department, in cooperation with the Tarhuna Security Directorate. Authorities said the case followed careful monitoring by the department’s electronic surveillance unit after a video surfaced on Facebook offering the suspected artifact for sale.
According to an official statement, investigators were able to identify the suspect and pinpoint his location within Tarhuna after tracking the online footage. A coordinated security plan was then put in place, involving the Investigation and Evidence Collection Department, as well as the Tourist Police branches in Tripoli and South Tripoli.
The operation was conducted under legal coordination with the Public Prosecution of Tripoli, resulting in the arrest of the suspects in flagrante delicto on 31 December 2025.
Authorities confirmed that the case has been officially registered under Case No. (1/2026 – Tourist Police and Antiquities Protection). The suspects were referred on 1 January 2026 to the Public Prosecution in Tripoli to complete investigations and initiate legal proceedings.
The Tourist Police and Antiquities Protection Department reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Libya’s cultural heritage, stressing that efforts to combat antiquities trafficking and protect archaeological assets will continue across the country.