The Committee for Justice (CFJ) welcomed the release of Libyan journalist Al‑Saleheen Al‑Zarwali following his arbitrary detention for two years in the city of Benghazi, where he had been held at a detention facility affiliated with the Military Police.
According to CFJ’s documentation, Al‑Zarwali was released on Sunday, bringing to an end a period of detention that had continued since mid‑May 2024, in connection with social media posts addressing issues related to freedom of opinion and expression.
The Committee noted that Al‑Zarwali is a well‑known journalist from the city of Ajdabiya, and that his arrest occurred within a broader context of violations targeting a number of journalists and bloggers in eastern Libya.
CFJ emphasized that his release does not negate the need to open an independent investigation into the circumstances of his detention and the potential violations of his fundamental rights, including the right to liberty and freedom of expression, as well as fair trial guarantees.
The Committee for Justice called for the release of all prisoners held for their opinions, the cessation of practices targeting journalists and human rights defenders, and the adoption of measures to ensure that such violations do not recur.