11 Pakistani nationals arrested in Libya immigration crackdown

Libyan authorities have apprehended 11 Pakistani nationals in a sting operation targeting illegal immigration. The arrests were made by the Stability Support Apparatus‘ Investigation and Evidence Collection Department.

Two of the detainees are suspected of being major figures in a human smuggling network that allegedly charges migrants $10,000 USD to facilitate their journeys to European Union countries.

Libya has long been a major transit point for migrants and refugees attempting perilous sea crossings to Europe, with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reporting over 17,000 arrivals to Italy from Libya in 2023 alone.

During questioning, the suspects reportedly admitted to their involvement in the illegal activities. Legal proceedings are now underway, with the accused individuals transferred to the Illegal Immigration Prosecution for further action.

This operation follows previous successful interventions by Libya’s Stability Support Apparatus (SSA), which has been actively involved in combating human smuggling and trafficking networks.

The SSA has conducted numerous raids and arrests, disrupting the operations of criminal organisations profiting from the exploitation of vulnerable migrants.

These ongoing efforts highlight the Libyan authorities’ commitment to addressing the complex challenges of illegal immigration and human smuggling within their borders and across the Mediterranean Sea, a route that has tragically claimed countless lives in recent years.

The IOM estimates that over 26,000 migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean since 2014.