Libyan Journalist Faces Military Trial Amid Press Freedom Concerns

In May 2024, Libyan journalist Salhine Zerouali was violently arrested in Ajdabiya while in his car with his nine-year-old son. Masked men, identified as security forces, assaulted him in front of his child before detaining him. He was subsequently transferred to a military prison in Benghazi, where he has been held for over ten months. Zerouali, known for his work with several media outlets, including the Al Ghaïma news agency, faces charges of collaborating with media deemed hostile by the authorities. Although some charges, such as possession of weapons and membership in terrorist groups, have been dropped, he remains on trial in a military court—a process criticized for its lack of transparency and fairness.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called for Zerouali’s immediate release, highlighting that his trial violates international commitments to press freedom and fair trial standards. RSF emphasizes that prosecuting journalists in military courts undermines the public’s right to reliable information and creates a climate of fear among media professionals.

Zerouali’s case is not isolated. In 2020, journalists Abdel Salam Al-Turki and Ismaïl Abou Zriba El-Zouei faced similar military court proceedings due to their affiliations with media outlets critical of the authorities. These incidents reflect a broader pattern of repression against journalists in Libya, where media professionals often face harassment, arbitrary detention, and threats.

The ongoing trial of Salhine Zerouali underscores the precarious state of press freedom in Libya. International organizations continue to advocate for the protection of journalists and the upholding of fundamental rights, urging Libyan authorities to cease the use of military courts for civilian cases and to respect the principles of free expression and fair trial.