Libya Frees Over 100 Migrants From Torture Ransom Gang in Ajdabiya

Libyan authorities have rescued over 100 migrants, including women, who were held captive and tortured by a human trafficking gang in the eastern city of Ajdabiya. Five suspects from Libya, Sudan, and Egypt were arrested, accused of detaining migrants to extort ransom payments from their families. Evidence, including photos retrieved from the suspects' phones, showed signs of severe abuse and restraint inflicted on the victims. Libya remains a major transit point for migrants from Africa and the Middle East trying to reach Europe, with traffickers exploiting the country's instability to operate with impunity. The discovery of mass graves in the Libyan desert, where dozens of bodies were found, highlights the deadly risks migrants face, with known smuggling networks blamed for these atrocities. The crisis, involving around 825,000 migrants in Libya as of late 2024, has prompted recent discussions between EU officials and Libyan government representatives to address the ongoing migration and trafficking challenges.