The Libyan Attorney General’s office announced the dismantling of a network involved in migrant smuggling and human trafficking.
The operation, carried out by security forces and supported by military units from the Joint Force-South, led to legal actions against several individuals.
According to a statement released last Saturday, the General Directorate of Security Operations conducted investigations in Ash Shwayrif, targeting gangs organizing illegal migration and human trafficking.
The operation resulted in raids on various centers involved in these illicit activities, exposing violations affecting the rights of 1,300 migrants. Many of these migrants were freed from forced detention, where they had suffered torture aimed at extorting money from their families.
Among those arrested were a key leader of the organization and ten other members, including illegal migrants implicated in serious crimes such as murder, torture, and rape.
The Attorney General’s office is now gathering evidence, inspecting crime scenes, and documenting victims’ testimonies as part of the ongoing investigation.
Libya, which has been in turmoil since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, remains divided between rival administrations. The country’s prolonged conflict has caused significant humanitarian crises, with thousands killed and many more displaced. Libya’s economy, heavily dependent on oil, continues to suffer due to instability, affecting both national and global oil markets.
Despite a ceasefire, security challenges persist, with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters complicating efforts toward unifying the military and stabilizing the country. Planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws, raising concerns about Libya’s political future and the prospects for peace.
