The UN "gravely concerned" by the detention of a Libyan expert in Tunisia



[ad_1]

According to a panel of UN experts, weapons and ammunition have been repeatedly delivered to belligerents in Libya, in violation of an international embargo. By Mahmud TURKIA (AFP)

According to a panel of UN experts, weapons and ammunition have been repeatedly delivered to belligerents in Libya, in violation of an international embargo. By Mahmud TURKIA (AFP)

The United Nations has expressed its "grave concern" about the detention in Tunisia of a UN expert charged with investigating violations of a Libyan arms embargo.

"The arrest and detention by the Tunisian authorities of Moncef Kartas (…) in the exercise of his official duties is a matter of very serious concern," said the spokesman of the Secretary-General from the UN to the United Nations.

The Tunisian Moncef Kartas was arrested in Tunis on March 26 with a fellow countryman suspected of "spying for foreign parties," according to Tunisian authorities.

Kartas was presented Thursday to an investigating judge who "decided to maintain" his detention, said Stephane Dujarric.

"The continued detention constitutes a violation of the privileges and immunities enjoyed by Mr. Kartas," he added.

The UN has engaged with the Tunisian government "at the highest level", according to the spokesman, clarifying its legal position through four separate legal notes.

But the government "has not provided an adequate response," he said.

The Tunisian Interior Minister said last month that "confidential documents containing sensitive sensitive data likely to undermine national security" were seized as part of the arrest of one of the detainees. expert from the UN.

He also said that technical equipment for jamming and interception of communications, banned in Tunisia, had been confiscated.

Kartas was appointed in 2016 to the group of experts to investigate the violations of an arms embargo imposed on Libya.

The group reports to the UN Sanctions Committee on Libya and presents its findings in an annual report. An interim report is expected in June.

Earlier panel reports revealed that arms and ammunition had been repeatedly delivered to warring parties in Libya, in violation of the UN embargo, with the participation of member states.

[ad_2]
Source link