The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has documented the killing of Wissam Abu Bakr Makhlouf, 46, as a result of torture during an arbitrary detention following his abduction by military personnel affiliated with the Tariq Bin Ziyad Brigade, which operates under the General Command of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, according to information documented by the Committee.
According to CFJ, Wissam Makhlouf was abducted on the evening of 24 July 2026, before his body was later found abandoned outside Al‑1200 Hospital (Benghazi Medical Center) in the city of Benghazi. His family subsequently retrieved the body. The victim was a resident of the Al‑Fateh district in Benghazi.
Available preliminary information indicates that military personnel affiliated with the Tariq Bin Ziyad Brigade were involved in Makhlouf’s abduction prior to the discovery of his body, amid indications that he was subjected to torture during his detention.
The circumstances of the incident constitute a serious violation of the right to life and physical integrity. Unlawful detention and torture are prohibited under both domestic and international law and require a full disclosure of the circumstances of the incident and the identification of those responsible.
The Committee for Justice calls for an independent and transparent investigation into the abduction, detention, and death under torture of Wissam Makhlouf, the identification and prosecution of all those responsible, and guarantees that perpetrators of torture and deaths in custody do not enjoy impunity.
CFJ also calls for the adoption of measures to protect civilians from arbitrary arrest, enforced disappearance, and ill‑treatment, and to ensure accountability for all serious human rights violations.
