A source from the Attorney General’s Office in Tripoli told Libya Al-Ahrar TV that a Russian citizen, who was arrested recently for “possible threats to security”, had been deported for violating residency requirements in the country.
The deportation comes after the Russian citizen’s detention by authorities in Tripoli as he was deemed a threat to public security and a link to certain foreign armed groups that operate in Africa; just on the borders with Libya.
Russia Reacts
While in detention, the Russian national’s case made Moscow warn its citizens against traveling to Libya for personal and tourist purposes, saying Libya posed a “danger to life and health,” especially in the western part of the country.
The Government of National Unity (GNU) requested an urgent clarification from Moscow regarding the reasons for the travel warning to Libya issued by the Russian embassy in Tripoli, following the arrest of the Russian citizen in Libya.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that it had followed with great interest the statement issued by the Russian authorities, which warned its citizens against traveling to Libya, calling on its Russian counterpart to provide an urgent clarification regarding the reasons for this warning within the framework of what bilateral relations require in terms of mutual respect and transparency.
Reasons for Arrest
The Libyan Foreign Ministry confirmed that the measures taken against the Russian citizen were carried out in accordance with Libyan laws and legislation, in full coordination with the Office of the Attorney General, and under the supervision of the Deterrence Agency for Combating Terrorism and Organized Crime.
It added that initial investigations indicated that the Russian national was involved in activities that “harm public order and aim to corrupt Libyan youth, in addition to having connections with foreign armed groups operating in Africa.”
The Foreign Ministry stressed that these measures come within the framework of preserving national security, rejecting any attempt to harm the image of stability and security achieved by the Government of National Unity with tireless efforts in the past period.
Moscow’s Ally Remains Silent
While the Russian travel warning targeted western Libya, where the GNU is seated, it failed to mention anything about the east, where its forces had been based under the protection of its ally Khalifa Haftar and his sons.
On the contrary, Russia continued to strengthen its presence in eastern Libya by sending air defense systems from its Syria base after it had lost the support of Assad regime with the escape of Bashar Al-Assad and the victory of Syrian revolutionary factions in the country.