Panafrican News Agency

Libya Press Authority condemns kidnap of journalist in Benghazi

Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The General Press Authority in Libya has condemned "in the strongest terms" the kidnapping of journalist Siraj Abdelhafidh al-Mouksabi in Benghazi on Monday by an unidentified armed group.

According to a Press Authority statement, an unidentified group entered the headquarters of the Al-Hayat Libya newspaper, intimidating and threatening employees and journalists of the General Press Authority's Benghazi branch.

They refused to hand over any official summons or show any document identifying them or the reasons for the kidnapping of their fellow journalist.

The General Press Authority called on all security services "to act swiftly" to find out the fate of Siraj al-Maksabi and release him.

Gunmen stormed the General Press Authority headquarters at Abdelmoneim Riyad Street in Benghazi on Monday afternoon and kidnapped journalist Siraj al-Maksabi, taking him to an unknown destination.

In his last post on his Facebook page on Monday morning, Siraj al-Maksabi denounced the buying of votes in the run-up to the presidential election on 24 December.

Journalists, human rights activists, civil society activists and ordinary citizens are regularly kidnapped or killed, revealing the rampant insecurity in the city which is under the control of Khalifa Haftar's forces.

International human rights organisations have repeatedly denounced the abuses and violations committed by Haftar's troops with impunity.

-0- PANA BY/JSG/BBA/MA 23Nov2021