Tunisian human rights observatory reports arrest of a dozen Tunisians in Libya, links it to case of Libyans in Tunisia

He stated that these arrests appear to be connected to the case of three Libyan nationals who were arrested and are being prosecuted in Tunisia. The OTDH was alerted by distress calls from Tunisian citizens in Libya, leading to the discovery of these arrests. The individuals arrested include Tunisian workers, travelers, and passengers.

The OTDH has initiated steps to understand the circumstances and reasons behind these arrests. According to Abdelkebir, the organization has established a link between these arrests and the case of three Libyans accused of crimes in Libya, who were arrested in Tunisia in late 2024. He emphasized that the Tunisian judicial process for these Libyans is ongoing and follows legal cooperation mechanisms between the two countries.

Abdelkebir views the arrests of Tunisians in Libya as a form of pressure and believes that Tunisian citizens should not be used as bargaining chips in a judicial matter they are unrelated to. He called for the immediate release of the detained Tunisians, asserting that no logic of retaliation or pressure should be accepted. Abdelkebir also clarified the situation of two Tunisian women initially reported missing in Tripoli.

Investigations revealed they were not missing but had been detained for four days by official authorities in Tripoli, reportedly in connecti