Sebha flogging video sparks judicial investigation in Libya
Libya’s Supreme Judicial Council has announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the filming and circulation on social media of footage showing the enforcement of a court ruling issued by one of the Criminal Chambers of the Sebha Court of Appeal.
In a statement, the Council said the ruling concerns the implementation of the penalty prescribed under Law No. 70 of 1973 on the establishment of the hadd punishment for zina (adultery). It reaffirmed that final judicial rulings are legally binding and must be enforced once all legal procedures have been completed.
The Council, however, stressed that court judgments must be carried out in accordance with legal procedures that preserve both human dignity and the authority of the judiciary.
It further stated that filming the enforcement of judicial rulings and publishing such footage on social media forms no part of the execution process and does not serve the objectives of Islamic law. The Council emphasised the need to comply with the legal regulations governing the implementation of court judgments.
The Supreme Judicial Council has instructed the Judicial Inspection Department to investigate the incident and submit its findings, with legal and administrative measures to be taken against anyone found responsible.
The announcement follows the widespread circulation of a video showing members of the Judicial Police in Sebha carrying out a sentence of 100 lashes against a woman convicted in a zina case. Those present in the footage said they were implementing a judgment issued by the Sebha Criminal Court.
The footage has prompted widespread public debate over the legality of filming and publishing the enforcement of judicial rulings, as well as whether doing so is compatible with legal safeguards, respect for the dignity of convicted individuals and the standing of the judiciary. It has also raised questions over whether such actions exceeded the legal powers granted to authorities responsible for enforcing court judgments.
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