By Sami Zaptia.
London, 7 December 2020:
UNSMIL today welcomed the release of Dr Siddiq Ben Della, after four days of his abduction.
It called for a full and independent inquiry into this incident and all incidents of arbitrarily detention, kidnapping perpetrated by armed groups who continue to undermine the rule of law across Libya.
It will be recalled that UNSMIL had expressed concern at the disappearance of Dr Ben Della, a 66 year-old university professor, well-known orthopaedic surgeon and Deputy Head of al-Khadra Hospital on 2 December.
Ben Della had been reported to have been kidnapped in the ‘‘11 June’’ district’ in Tripoli, on 1 December.
Dr Ben Della’s car was ambushed and taken away by 4 armed uniformed men.
UNSMIL called for his immediate and unconditional release and expresses alarm at the rising level of criminality across Libya at the hands of armed groups, who it said operate without impunity.
Yesterday, Ben Della made his way home after he was reportedly released by his captures who fled. On the same day Libyan security services arrested at least two of his kidnapers and the Tripoli Minister of the Interior, Fathi Bashagha, promised to bring the accused to justice and promised to “provide the necessary protection for all doctors and medical personnel who are making great efforts against the Coronavirus.
UNSMIL concerned at kidnap of leading doctor in Tripoli | (libyaherald.com)
