On 2 October in the evening, the ‘Misrata Against Injustice’ movement announced the arrest of activists Abdurrahman al-Fadhil and al-Mahdi al-Jatlawi, describing it as part of an ongoing campaign of persecution led by the so-called ‘Misrata Joint Force,’ which is linked to militia leader Omar Abu Gaddafa. The movement claims the arrests were carried out under direct orders from PM Abdul Hameed Dabaiba, aimed at silencing his political opponents within the city.
On the same day, Salem Krowad – one of the notables of Misrata, a prominent civil activist and co-founder of the ‘Misrata Against Injustice’ movement – issued a strong warning about the city’s deteriorating social fabric following the arrest of the two activists by security forces. In press statements, Krowad described growing public unrest due to repeated arrests targeting peaceful reform advocates. He warned that such actions threaten internal stability and fuel tensions among residents. Calling for urgent action, Krowad urged Misrata’s security and social leaders to halt what he termed ‘unlawful assaults,’ stressing the need to protect social cohesion and prevent further escalation. He emphasized that the movement seeks peaceful reform, not confrontation.
On 3 October, Othman al-Taher Issa, another prominent member of the Misrata Against Injustice movement, accused PM Dabaiba and his government of trying to bring the city under control through a targeted arrest campaign against political opponents.
On 3 October in the evening, the Misrata Against Injustice movement announced the release of activist al-Mahdi al-Jatlawi after his arrest by the Misrata Joint Force. The movement affirms its continued efforts to secure also the release of activist Abdurrahman al-Fadhil from the militia’s prison.
Grand Mufti al-Sadiq al-Ghariyani urged mass mobilization in Misrata to counter what he termed ‘insidious voices’ and ideological infiltration, particularly targeting the Madkhali Salafist movement.