The Stabilization Support Agency, one of Tripoli’s most powerful state-recognized militias, headed by Abdul Ghani Al Kikli commonly refered to as ”Gnewa”, accused Amnesty International of defamation. This came in response to Amnesty’s report published on Wednesday accusing the Stabilization Support Agency of violations against migrants and refugees. the Stabilization Support Agency described the report as lacking the most basic standards of professional work.
The agency said, in a statement posted on its Facebook page, that the report “had required Amnesty International to contact the Stability Support Agency and the official security institutions in the Libyan state To respond to any inquiries or accusations – before publishing the report.”
The Stabilization Support Agency stressed that “it is very keen to apply Libyan law first, which takes into account standards of justice and human rights, and it works within the framework of official state institutions, where all those arrested are referred according to official evidence collection records to the Public Prosecution in accordance with the explicit law.”
The Stabilization Support Agency added, “It works to deter any illegal practices that may be issued by any of its affiliates, by activating the follow-up and inspection departments of the Stability Support Agency.”
It said that it “reserves his legal right to sue Amnesty International for defamation and slander against the Libyan state and its official security institutions with false accusations,” stressing at the same time, “to continue working transparently and professionally, placing the security and stability of Libya at the top of its priorities and in accordance with the Libyan laws in force.”
In the conclusion of his statement, the Stabilization Support Agency called on Amnesty International to investigate the accuracy of its reports, noting “hundreds of documented cases of migrants across the Mediterranean who are subjected to torture and exploitation by smuggling gangs and international organized crime.”
