Journalist Ahmed al-Senussi released after three days in Tripoli detention

Jul 11, 2024 | Libyan actors

On the afternoon of 11 July, journalist Ahmed al-Senussi – news show host at Al Wasat TV and editorin-chief of the online newspaper Sada – was arrested in Tripoli near his home on Airport Road.

The arrest was made by the Internal Security Agency (ISA). Al-Senussi was taken to the ISA HQ in Tripoli Addrebe. He had recently published a report on corruption in the Government of National Unity (GNU) in which he criticized the Ministry of Economy and Trade and its Minister Muhammad al-Hawaij. Subsequently al-Senussi warned al-Hawaij and the Director of the ISA Lufti al-Hariri of the consequences of threatening and arresting journalists working for Sada newspaper after publishing the report.

Several Libyan organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Libya Crimes Watch (LCW), condemned the arrest and called for al-Senussi’s release. Al-Senussi’s family also appealed to the authorities to release him immediately.

On 12 July, the High State Council (HSC) condemned the ongoing abductions and arrests without legal basis that have taken place in various locations in Libya. All these incidents are indiscriminately rejected and considered illegal acts. The HSC called for those responsible to be brought to justice and warned against the tendency to justify these types of acts and behaviors in order to legitimize impunity.

On 13 July, UNSMIL expressed deep concern over the arrest of al-Senussi and called for his immediate release. The EU delegation to Libya, the Arab Organization for Human Rights in Libya and several foreign embassies also strongly condemned the arrest of al-Senussi and demanded his immediate release.

On 14 July, al-Senussi was transferred to the office of the Attorney General of Tripoli in the afternoon. He was finally released by the Attorney General in the evening.

On 15 July, the US Embassy welcomed the release of al- Senussi and emphasized the importance of press freedom, stressing this plays a crucial role in promoting the exchange of ideas, transparency and accountability, all of which will be critical to the success of Libya’s democratic transition.