Published on: 20 May 2023
DOHI NEWS
Last month Libya’s Internal Security Agency (ISA) arrested several Libyan citizens and foreigners in the nation’s capital of Tripoli, accusing them of apostasy and preaching Christianity.
Photo by Tim Hüfner on Unsplash
Though the ISA did not initially specify the number of individuals arrested, nor the names of those in custody, it has been reported that six Libyans will be charged with breaking article 207 of the penal code and could face up to life in prison or even the death penalty if found guilty.
Article 207 specifically states that “any person who promotes in any shape or form theories or principles aimed at changing the fundamental principles of the constitution or the fundamental rules of the social structure, at overthrowing the state’s political, social and economic systems, destroying any one of the main systems of the social structure by resorting to force, terrorism, or any other illegal means, shall be punishable by death.” In addition, “any person who owns books, flyers, drawings, slogans or any other material aimed at favoring the aforementioned acts, or favors these acts in any shape or form, shall be punishable by imprisonment for life.”
The foreigners arrested were reported as being a Pakistani and two Americans. The Americans were identified only as missionaries with the Assemblies of God, working at the Gateway International School in Tripoli that specializes in teaching nationals English.
After the arrests, the ISA accused the Assemblies of God organization of conspiring to “seduce Libyans in various ways” to deviate from the Islamic religion.
Videos of the Libyan citizens and foreigners “confessing” to their crimes were posted online by the ISA.
It is believed that the foreigners have since been released from custody and left Libya.
In an official press release, the ISA stated: “The Libyan people are proud to belong to their religion and consider it the solid foundation of their unifying national identity and regard any violation or abuse of it as a hostile act that threatens national security and seek[s] to sow discord and disunity among its people and those who comprise it.”
