Tripoli, 22 October 2020, UNSMIL deplores the recent unlawful arrest of the Head of the Libyan Media Corporation, Mr Mohamed Omar Baaio. The Mission calls for his immediate and unconditional release.

Mr Baaio was arrested on 20 October along with his two sons and the newly appointed head of programmes at the Libya al-Wataniya TV channel, Ms Hind Ammar. UNSMIL was notified that the two sons were released soon after the arrest, while Ms Ammar was released last night.

This latest round of arbitrary arrests highlights the personal risks journalists take to promote the right to freedom of expression in Libya.

The Mission calls for the need to respect the rule of law and reiterates that media freedom is critical to Libya’s democratic transition. The right to freedom of expression and the protection of journalists and media workers must be guaranteed.