The Libyan Interior Ministry has ordered and executed the arrest of Emad al-Shagaabi whom it accused of coordinating operations between ISIS terrorists and Ansar al-Sharia. With this arrest, the ministry aims at delivering a clear and unwavering message warning all those who wish to destabilize Libya that its personnel will respond effectively to any terrorist threats.
In a letter it sent to all security departments on November 25, the Interior Ministry declared having information regarding al-Shagaabi coordinating operations between Ansar al-Sharia and ISIS and committing several terrorist attacks in Tripoli and Benghazi. The Libyan Interior Ministry also called in a separate letter on the Public Prosecutor to issue an arrest warrant of Al-Shagabi and to permit the ministry to place him on the travel ban list. It also called on the Passports and Citizenship Authority to place the terrorist leader on the travel ban list until the Public Prosecutor gives the needed permission.
For his part, al-Shagaabi released a video message in response to the arrest warrant and denied all accusations which he claimed were baseless. He then threatened the Libyan Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha and promised him a merciless retaliation.
On November 30, the ministry released a statement announcing that after thorough and delicate search operations, Tajoura central backup personnel captured Al-Shagaabi on charges of “coordinating operations between ISIS and Ansar al-Sharia”. The statement added that he was placed under investigation before being sent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for further legal procedures.
The ministry concluded the statement by warning “all those who wish to destabilize Libya that the Ministry is going to take legal actions against them. No extortion of state institutions is allowed and our personnel will respond effectively to any terrorist threats.”
