By Moutaz Ali.
Tripoli, 26 February 2017:
A popular Tripoli footballer has been released tonight following his abduction in Tripoli yesterday.
A source at his club Al-Ahly Tripoli said Mouaid Al-Lafi had been missing since yesterday evening when he left the club headquarters following training. The source also said that the reason behind the abduction was ransom.
Lafi has now been returned home to his family and images show hims smiling and being mobbed by a crowd. It is not known if a ransom was paid.
Sports journalist Khairi Al-Ghathi posted on Facebook last night that Ryad Al-Lafi, the player’s brother and manager, had told him that the family did not want to release specific information. This was because they feared for his life if more details were released to the public.
Supporters of the club had threatened to organise large protests in the capital’s Martyrs’ Square tomorrow.
The club also suspended many of its activities in fury at the abduction.
A talented forward, Lafi has represented the Libyan national team eight times. He previously played in Portugal.
Meanwhile, 218 TV channel photographer Mohamed Masali, who was also seized yesterday has likewise been released. It is reported that his capture was a “misunderstanding”. His freedom said to have been secured by Hashem Bishr after he was allegedly taken by men loyal to Abu Sleem commander Abdul Ghani Ghneiwa.
