Amnesty Accuses Libya’s SSA of Violations Against Migrants, Refugees

A security patrol of the Stability Support Apparatus imposes security in Tripoli (the Apparatus media office)
A security patrol of the Stability Support Apparatus imposes security in Tripoli (the Apparatus media office)
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Amnesty Accuses Libya’s SSA of Violations Against Migrants, Refugees

A security patrol of the Stability Support Apparatus imposes security in Tripoli (the Apparatus media office)
A security patrol of the Stability Support Apparatus imposes security in Tripoli (the Apparatus media office)

The Stability Support Apparatus (SSA) in Libya has slammed an Amnesty International report that accused the agency of carrying out arbitrary detentions of migrants and refugees as well as of human rights violations.

In its statement, SSA pointed out that Amnesty’s report lacked the most basic standards of professional work, describing the international organization’s stated accusations as false and slanderous.

The Apparatus also affirmed its intent to implement Libyan law, observe standards of justice and human rights in its work within the framework of official state institutions, and work to deter any illegal practices that might be acted upon by its employees.

“Entrenched impunity has emboldened the state-funded Stability Support Authority (SSA) militia to commit unlawful killings, arbitrary detentions, interception and subsequent arbitrary detention of migrants and refugees, torture, forced labor, and other shocking human rights violations and crimes under international law,” Amnesty said earlier.

"Legitimizing abusive militia leaders and putting them on state payroll with no questions asked only empowers them to continue trampling on the rights of more people with complete impunity," said Amnesty's regional director Diana Eltahawy.

But the Apparatus called on the organization to investigate the accuracy of its report.



Family of Murdered Libyan Calls for Retrial of Saadi Gaddafi

 
File photo of Saadi Gaddafi (AFP)
File photo of Saadi Gaddafi (AFP)
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Family of Murdered Libyan Calls for Retrial of Saadi Gaddafi

 
File photo of Saadi Gaddafi (AFP)
File photo of Saadi Gaddafi (AFP)

The family of the murdered Libyan footballer Bashir Al-Riani has vowed not to “forfeit his blood” after the country’s Supreme Court overturned the acquittal of Saadi Gaddafi in the case.

The Tripoli Court of Appeals in April 2018 had acquitted the son of the late Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi of charges related to Al-Riani’s torture and murder in 2005. Despite the acquittal, Saadi remained imprisoned until his release on Sept. 6 2021, after which he reportedly left for Turkiye.

In a video statement, Al-Riani’s son announced that the Supreme Court had overturned Saadi’s acquittal and accepted an appeal against it, returning the case to the Tripoli Court of Appeals. He asserted this decision as proof of Saadi’s guilt and vowed to pursue justice until the trial is completed.

While no comment was issued by Saadi’s supporters regarding the Supreme Court’s decision, Ahmed Nashad, a Libyan lawyer and head of the defense team for Abdullah Senussi, former intelligence chief under Gaddafi, explained that overturning Saadi’s acquittal requires a new trial before the Tripoli Court of Appeals.

Al-Riani was found dead in 2005 near Saadi’s seaside residence. Saadi was accused of torturing and killing him, though accounts of the incident vary widely.

In June 2014, former Attorney General Abdelkader Jumaa Radwan referred Saadi’s case to the indictment chamber of the North Tripoli Primary Court after concluding the investigation.

Saadi, 50, was a former football player. He tried in vain to establish a football career in the Italian League, before leading an elite military unit.

Some Libyans, who oppose the Gaddafi regime, say that Saadi heard Al-Riani saying that the man was not talented at football. Meanwhile, another unreliable story states that Al-Riani was drunk and refused to obey Saadi’s guards, so they shot him. This story is denied by the victim’s family.

A former political official close to the Government of National Unity said that Saadi’s release was likely politically motivated, part of broader efforts to free several former regime figures. He noted that many Gaddafi loyalists remain imprisoned despite court orders for their release.