Following days of interrogation, BBC journalists abducted in Libya released on diplomatic pressure

Three BBC journalists – who remain unnamed – and a Swedish reporter, Kassem Hamade, were abducted and interrogated in a torture cell for a number of days by intelligence agents shortly after their arrival in Libya in March.

They were released following diplomatic pressure from the two governments and the British organization, media reported Monday.

A spokesperson from the BBC confirmed the Libyan intelligence authorities detained and interrogated three of its journalists, despite their authorization to work in the country.

Held Back At Tripoli Airport

The crew, including Hamade who works for the news outlet Expressen, arrived in Libya to create a documentary about a prominent Shiite Muslim, Imam Musa Al-Sadr, who disappeared in 1978.

Although Libya has always strongly denied any involvement in his disappearance, authorities believe he was abducted and executed. Al-Sadr played a key role in turning Lebanon’s Shiite minority into a politically powerful group.

Prior to their kidnapping, the four reporters were held back at Tripoli Airport for three hours upon arrival in Libya, while security appeared to be constantly on guard, Hamade mentioned in the Swedish newspaper.

Documentary Triggers Controversy?

“We remain for three hours”, even though all other passengers have already left the arrivals hall, he wrote, highlighting the constant monitoring and security looking at them with great suspicion. Authorities even rebooked the four into a different hotel, Hamade said.

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Although the Swedish national is still confused about the reason he was abducted, “the closest I can come to an explanation is that the documentary … has spooked people in the intelligence community.” The crew was released after five days following intense diplomatic pressure.