EU voices concern over detained Libyan MP, demands investigation

The European Union (EU) and EU missions in Libya have expressed deep concern regarding leaked footage showing MP Ibrahim Al-Dersi in detention, calling for an urgent investigation into the incident and disclosure of his whereabouts.

In a joint statement, EU missions strongly condemned Libya’s ongoing use of arbitrary detention and emphasised the need to hold those responsible for Al-Dersi’s disappearance accountable.

The EU further stressed that Libyan authorities must immediately release all detainees held without trial and conduct thorough investigations, including into the case of missing MP Siham Sergiwa.

Footage circulated on Monday showed Al-Dersi in degrading conditions while in custody, prompting strong reactions. The UN Support Mission in Libya reported it had requested UN digital forensics experts to verify the video’s authenticity and urged Libyan authorities to conduct an independent and comprehensive investigation.

The Government of National Unity condemned the video, describing the treatment of Al-Dersi as a shocking crime warranting an urgent international probe. The Presidential Council echoed this call, urging a transparent and impartial investigation under the supervision of a credible joint international-national committee to determine his fate.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​