The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has documented the death of Libyan citizen Jumaa Mohamed Saad Al‑Sharif, aged 63, on 24 April 2026, inside Al‑Kuwayfiyah Prison in the city of Benghazi, following a deterioration in his health during detention, amid allegations that he was denied necessary medical care.
According to CFJ’s documentation, Al‑Sharif was arrested in September 2024 near his home in Benghazi by elements affiliated with the General Department of Security Operations, and remained detained outside the legal framework. Available information indicates that he was subjected to torture and ill‑treatment during his period of detention.
The information further indicates that the victim was affiliated with Sufi religious orders, and that his detention occurred within the context of an arrest campaign targeting civilians on allegations related to the practice of sorcery and witchcraft, without adequate legal safeguards.
CFJ also documented that this incident falls within a recurring pattern of violations since 2024, including the deaths of several detainees in places of detention, as well as cases of arbitrary arrest, enforced disappearance, and ill‑treatment.
The Committee for Justice considers that these incidents raise serious concerns regarding the human rights situation in detention facilities, particularly with respect to the right to life, access to healthcare, and the safety of detainees.
CFJ calls for an urgent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death, ensuring accountability for those responsible, as well as taking immediate measures to improve detention conditions, halt arbitrary arrests, and ensure respect for detainees’ fundamental rights.
