Libya’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Sadiq Al-Gharyani, criticized the Special Deterrence Force for failing to hand over Mitiga prison to the competent authorities, warning that the ongoing situation raises serious concerns over detainees’ conditions and legal procedures. The Mufti noted that more than 160 prisoners in Mitiga prison have gone on hunger strike in protest against detention conditions and alleged mistreatment, adding that some detainees have been held for over six years without being brought to trial. He questioned what he described as contradictions between reported violations inside the prison and the apparatus’s public activities, including charitable initiatives. The Mufti added that the Special Deterrence Force has not fulfilled its commitments regarding detainees despite agreements with the government, continuing to control and independently manage the prison. He called on relevant authorities to urgently intervene to address detainees’ conditions and ensure respect for legal procedures and human rights.

Source: Libya Observer March 19, 2026 12:58 UTC