Six Libyans are facing the death penalty for converting to Christianity.
The individuals, some of whom are from Libya’s minority ethnic group, the Berbers, were detained separately in March by security forces.
They have been charged under Article 207 of the penal code, which punishes any attempt to circulate views that aim to “alter fundamental constitutional principles, or the fundamental structures of the social order”, or overthrow the state.
The Internal Security Agency (ISA) claimed that the arrests were made to “stop an organised gang action aiming to solicit and to make people leave Islam”.
Libya’s legislation is largely based on religion. According to Humanists International, the interim constitution written after the ousting of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, guarantees non-Muslims the freedom to practise their faith.
“There has been an increase in the usage of Article 207 against civil society activists and international organisations in Libya over the last year,” said Noura Eljerbi, a human rights activist who was forced into exile after receiving death threats for her work.
“Even now, I keep being threatened for only defending the freedom of belief. Society doesn’t accept discussions about freedom of belief. Before the arrest of those people, there was a fierce campaign against them on social media led by former regime supporters.”
Last year, seven activists were arrested by the ISA for alleged atheism.
Two of them were released, but the rest of the group remain behind bars. Several Libya human rights activists have been killed or forced to flee the country, leaving those who remain to work undercover for their own safety.
One of the detainees, Seyfao Madi, an engineer and father of one child, appeared in a video confessing that he had converted to Christianity in 2017 and tried to convert others.
Madi’s lawyer, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, said Madi renounced his Christian faith under torture. Another US citizen was also arrested by the ISA last month, but was released and has since left the country.
Compiled by staff writer
Pictured above: Libya
