Mass grave discovery leads to rescue of 76 migrants held by traffickers in Libya

Monday 10 February 2025 - 17:00

By: Dakir Madiha

Mass grave discovery leads to rescue of 76 migrants held by traffickers in Libya

Libyan security forces have uncovered a major human trafficking operation in southeastern Libya, rescuing 76 migrants and discovering 28 bodies in a mass grave near the detention facility. The joint operation, conducted on Saturday by the Illegal Immigration Control Authority and the Attorney General's Office, targeted a criminal network's headquarters north of Kufra.

The raid, supported by the Sabil Al-Salam Battalion, revealed disturbing evidence of systematic abuse. According to official statements, the traffickers subjected their victims to severe torture and degrading treatment. Law enforcement successfully apprehended three suspects - a Libyan national and two foreign accomplices - who are now in custody facing criminal charges.

The victims, whose nationalities have not been disclosed, were found in conditions indicating prolonged captivity and abuse. The Attorney General's office emphasized the severity of human rights violations at the site, documenting evidence of systematic torture and inhumane treatment.

This operation marks the second major trafficking intervention in Libya this year. In late January, authorities discovered another trafficking ring in the Al-Wahat region of eastern Libya, where more than 300 African migrants were being held captive on a remote farm. These successive raids highlight the ongoing challenges Libya faces in combating human trafficking networks that exploit the country's complex security situation.

The discovery of the mass grave adds a tragic dimension to Libya's struggle against human trafficking, underscoring the lethal consequences of these criminal enterprises. Authorities continue their investigation into the identities of the deceased and the full scope of the trafficking network's operations.