Tunisian abducted as a bargaining tool in Libya freed

A Tunisian abducted over the weekend by an armed group from Zawia and believed to be used as a bargaining tool to ensure the freedom of a Libyan arrested by Tunisian customs on Saturday, has been freed. Security forces managed to free the man, who is now being held “in a safe place” for his role in smuggling. No action against those who abducted him has been reported.

The arrested man’s brother, who himself was arrested when 35 kilos of drugs were found in his car, apparently organised the subsequent kidnap, which happened on the coast road between the border town of Zultan and the border crossing at Ras Jedir.

Libya has been ruled by lawlessness since the revolution in 2011 bought an end to the authoritarian rule of Muammar Gaddafi. Rival governments in the west and east of the country have failed to gain any legitimacy. Militias and smugglers have thrived in the resultant political vacuum.

Read: Too early to assess anti-corruption drive in Tunisia 

Image of smoke caused by the clashes between Tunisian protesters and police on 3 April 2017 [Tasnim Nasri/Anadolu Agency]