Libya’s Mufti renews pressure over Mitiga detentions
Libya’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Sadiq Al-Gharyani, has increased the pressure on the Special Deterrence Force over extended detentions at Mitiga prison, as reported by The Libya Observer and agencies on March 19th.
Al-Gharyani stated that the force had failed to properly manage the prison, where more than 160 inmates are reportedly on hunger strike and some prisoners have allegedly spent over six years in custody without trial.
Al-Gharyani argued that the continued independent management of the facility raises serious legal and humanitarian concerns with possible international repercussion.
The Mufti further claimed that previous commitments regarding detainees had not been respect in consideration of the understandings reached with the government, and called for urgent intervention to restore judicial oversight and respect for legal procedures.
On March 16th, families of detainees staged a protest in Tripoli outside the offices of the attorney general and the Presidential Council, demanding the enforcement of release orders and the acceleration of judicial procedures for those still being held.
The demonstrations added to pressure on authorities already facing scrutiny over whether prison administration in western Libya remains subject to formal state control or to the influence of private security actors operating with significant discretion and autonomy.
The developments started in November 2022, when UNSMIL was alarmed by reports that more than 70 inmates at Mitiga Central Prison had launched a hunger strike over an illegally extended detention, alleged ill treatment, and restrictions on family visits and medical care.
More recently, in July 2025 a committee formed by order of the attorney general had indeed uncovered cases of unlawful detention at the prison, including detainees whose release orders had not been implemented.
That pattern has reinforced concerns that the prison remains a symbol of Libya’s wider struggle to impose the rule of law over detention sites tied to armed formations.
Libya Observer plus agencies, maghrebi.org
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