Libya Uncovers Mass Grave of 21 African Migrants, Arrests Suspect
Libyan authorities have uncovered a mass grave containing the remains of 21 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa in the northeastern town of Ajdabiya, local media reported on Thursday.
According to reports citing government sources, a Libyan national has been arrested in connection with the deaths. The suspect is alleged to have killed the migrants and held several others captive on a farm in the area.
Libya’s Internal Security Agency in the east confirmed the discovery, stating that it had found “a mass grave containing the bodies of 21 individuals of various African nationalities,” as reported by Al-Masar television channel.
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Al-Masar, which is aligned with forces loyal to eastern Libyan military leader Khalifa Haftar, said the suspect was apprehended during a security raid on the farm. Independent broadcaster Al Wasat also reported that some migrants who had been held captive were rescued during the operation and taken to hospital for treatment.
Images and videos shared by local media showed evidence of the recovery operation at the site, as investigations continue.
Libya remains a major transit route for thousands of migrants seeking to reach Europe each year, with reports of deaths and abuses along migration routes occurring frequently.
The country has struggled with prolonged instability since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. The political divide persists between an eastern administration backed by Haftar and a United Nations-recognised government based in the west.
Amid the ongoing insecurity, smugglers and human trafficking networks have flourished, drawing sustained criticism from rights groups over the treatment of migrants, including allegations of exploitation and forced detention.
By PRNigeria
AFP
