A 92-year-old Libyan man, Ibrahim Al-Qadi, was forcibly abducted by unknown armed men in the coastal city of Khoms on Friday, causing widespread anger and condemnation across the nation. According to eyewitnesses, Al-Qadi was taken from outside his home and driven away in a vehicle by the kidnappers.
Mohamed Tarek, one of Al-Qadi’s grandsons, has urgently appealed to the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, and Attorney General Sadiq Al-Sour for immediate intervention to secure his grandfather’s release.
In response to the abduction, the Khoms Council of Elders and Dignitaries held a gathering on Saturday evening, condemning the act and demanding swift action from the authorities to apprehend those responsible and locate Al-Qadi.
The National Human Rights Commission in Libya also voiced its concern on Sunday, stating that Al-Qadi’s whereabouts remain unknown despite notifications being made to all relevant security agencies.
The Commission has called upon the Ministry of Interior and other security bodies to intensify their efforts in gathering information and tracking the individuals involved in Al-Qadi’s kidnapping. Additionally, the Commission urged the Attorney General’s Office to launch a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the case, ensuring that the kidnappers are identified and held accountable to deliver justice to Al-Qadi’s family.
This recent incident adds to the growing list of kidnappings and enforced disappearances in Libya, a country grappling with lawlessness and insecurity. Just last November, Brigadier Mustafa Ali Al-Wahaishi, Head of Central Security at the Intelligence Service, was abducted in the capital, Tripoli, highlighting the persistent security challenges faced by the nation.
The abduction of Ibrahim Al-Qadi has ignited calls for stronger governmental action to curb the alarming rise in such crimes. Human rights advocates insist on the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms to protect citizens and ensure justice for victims of abduction and their families.
Libya remains plagued by internal strife and a lack of effective governance, contributing to a perilous environment where criminal acts, including kidnapping, go unpunished. The international community continues to stress the importance of establishing a unified and accountable state apparatus to restore order and safeguard the rights of all Libyans.