Tripoli
– Libya’s justice ministry announced on Sunday that over 450 prisoners were
being freed in a bid to protect against the spread of the novel coronavirus
(Covid-19) in the wake of the war-torn country’s first declared infections.
Judicial officials decided to “free 466 detainees from correctional facilities” in Tripoli,
according to a statement by the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord’s
justice ministry.
The detainees were in pre-trial
detention or had qualified for conditional release, the statement added.
READ | War-torn Libya reports first coronavirus case
Authorities announced five new
coronavirus cases in the western city of Misrata on Sunday, bringing the tally
of infections confirmed in Libya to eight. The country’s first case had been
confirmed on Tuesday.
Other measures “aimed at
reducing the overpopulation of prisons” will follow, including amnesty for
elderly or ill prisoners and those who have served over half their sentences,
according to the ministry statement.
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Human Rights Watch (HRW)
applauded the justice ministry’s move as a “positive first step”, but
said “authorities should do more to mitigate the risks of a major Covid-19
outbreak”.
‘Healthcare system won’t be able to cope’
Libyan authorities “need to
be prepared to limit the spread of the virus in overcrowded detention
facilities and shelters for displaced people”, HRW said in a statement.
Libya has been plagued by
conflict since the 2011 overthrow of former dictator Muammar
Gaddafi.
Since April 2019, forces loyal to
eastern-based strongman Khalifa Haftar have been fighting to seize the capital
in an offensive that has killed hundreds and displaced 150 000 people.
READ | WHO warns of ‘dramatic evolution’ of virus in Africa
“If the Covid-19 pandemic
spreads in Libya, the country’s healthcare system won’t be able to cope with
large numbers of patients,” said HRW Libya researcher Hanan Salah.
Both the UN-recognised GNA and a
rival eastern-based government under the control of Haftar have taken
preventative measures against the spread of the virus, including closing
schools, some businesses, markets and even private clinics.
The GNA announced an extended
curfew on Sunday from 14:00 local time until 07:00, starting from Monday.
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