Family of Al-Mahdi Abdulati: “Health deterioration and torture in detention, calls for urgent investigation and accountability”

The family of political activist “Al-Mahdi Abulqasim Abdullah Abdulati” issued a statement expressing deep concern and strong condemnation over confirmed information they received about the deterioration of his health condition and his exposure to harsh conditions during his detention, including torture and intimidation, which necessitated his transfer to the hospital for treatment.

The family confirmed that these serious developments constitute a grave violation of national laws and international conventions that criminalize torture and ill-treatment, and that require the protection of the dignity and safety of detainees.

They also held full responsibility for the safety and life of Al-Mahdi Abdulati on the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, and the Internal Security Agency, stressing that what he is being subjected to is a crime that does not lapse with time. They emphasized pursuing those responsible legally, calling on the Attorney General to open an urgent and transparent investigation into the incidents of torture and ill-treatment, and to hold all those involved accountable.

Al-Mahdi Abdulati had disappeared since the night of the Eid al-Fitr season, following a live broadcast he posted hours before his disappearance in Misrata, in which he spoke about the continuation of fuel smuggling operations involving several parties. He referred to what he described as the “catastrophic Arkno story,” which he said was signed by Abdulhamid Dbeibah at the request of Ben Gdara and with the approval of Arkno Company to become a partner, considering that this contributed to declining revenues over the past two years.

He added that there are funds that have disappeared without any accountability regarding their fate, describing the decline in revenues amid global conditions as a disaster, especially with the presence of fuel tankers and clear smuggling routes, particularly through the south.

He questioned the fate of oil revenues and how they are being kept away from the Central Bank of Libya, noting that accusations are often directed at governments without revealing the entities that received these funds and how they were spent.

He also stated that the current exchange rate cannot be adjusted nor can economic recovery be achieved under it, warning of the effects of international conditions. He pointed out that the continued looting of revenues and taxes will worsen the crisis, expecting its repercussions to emerge in the near future, and questioning the size of the government’s reserves.

In a related context, he referred to what he described as a systematic collapse and explosions in oil pipelines, considering that this aims to weaken the Libyan state and pave the way for foreign companies to enter. He added that the National Oil Corporation obtained around $15,000 in 2024 without carrying out significant maintenance work, accusing there of being looting of the corporation’s and the people’s funds, which led to the bankruptcy of companies such as Ras Lanuf, Gulf, and Sirte, in addition to salary delays and the deterioration of the technical condition of the fields.