Libyan teen detained in Istanbul, his family says embassy has yet to contact him
In a widely shared social media post, the family said that Othman was detained following a complaint filed by a Turkish woman who accused him of photographing her son without permission at a shopping mall in Istanbul, despite the absence of any evidence supporting the allegation.
The family added that Othman had traveled to Turkey for a short vacation after completing his exams and was taking souvenir photos at the 'Vadistanbul' shopping mall when a woman confronted him and claimed he had taken pictures of her son—an accusation he immediately denied.
He handed over his phone to the woman, which was found to contain no photos or videos of her son. However, upon learning he was not a Turkish citizen, the woman insisted on calling mall security.
Othman was taken to a police station, where Turkish authorities conducted an official search of his phone and found no incriminating material. Nevertheless, he remains in custody without any formal charges, raising concerns about legal procedures—especially given that he is considered a minor under both Libyan and international law.
The family has called on Libyan authorities to urgently intervene and provide legal assistance to their son, stressing that the incident highlights the urgent need to strengthen legal protection for Libyan citizens abroad.
As of now, the Libyan Embassy in Turkey has not issued an official statement, and there is no available information from Turkish authorities on whether formal charges will be filed or if the youth will be released.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Libya Observer
a day ago
- Libya Observer
Guterres warns of ISIS in Libya merging with criminal networks in Sahel region
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of an attempt by ISIS to merge with transboundary organized crime networks involved in arms and goods smuggling and the transport of fighters. Guterres submitted the twenty-first report to the UN Security Council on the threat posed by ISIS to international peace and security and the efforts of the United Nations to support countries in combating this threat. In his report sent to the Council in early August, Guterres confirmed that the organization's operational isolation was significant, but that it was attempting to maintain a foothold through criminal networks. This was revealed by seven arrests made by Libyan authorities in 2025, targeting individuals linked to the organization's logistical and financial networks in the Sahel region. News Tagged: Antonio Guterres ISIS
Libya Observer
11-08-2025
- Libya Observer
Libya arrests fuel smugglers in major crackdown
Libyan authorities say they have arrested several people accused of stockpiling fuel for smuggling, seizing thousands of litres intended for illegal sale. The attorney general's office said the fuel had been supplied to some distribution stations before being intercepted. Vehicles and fuel were confiscated, and the premises involved have been shut down. Officials say the arrests followed an investigation into illicit fuel trading in areas under the jurisdiction of the Al Khums and Misrata appeals courts. Crimes Tagged: fuel smuggling
Libya Observer
10-08-2025
- Libya Observer
International Criminal Court unseals arrest warrant for Libyan national Saif Sneidel
The International Criminal Court's (ICC) "Pre-Trial Chamber I" announced on Friday that it has lifted the confidentiality on an arrest warrant issued on November 10, 2020, for Saif Suleiman Sneidel. ICC said Sneidel is a Libyan national and a member of 'Group 50,' a sub-unit of the Al-Saiqa Brigade commanded by Mahmoud Al-Werfalli, referred to since May 2017 as a 'Field Commander' and, since February 2018, as a first lieutenant. The court said Sneidel is wanted for war crimes, including murder, torture and outrages upon personal dignity, allegedly committed in Benghazi or surrounding areas in Libya on or before June 3, 2016, through on or about July 17, 2017. The UN Security Council referred the situation in Libya to the ICC prosecutor under Resolution 1970, dated February 26, 2011. On March 3, 2011, the prosecutor announced the decision to open an investigation into the Libya situation. According to the court, eight other public arrest warrants issued by the ICC remain outstanding for Osama Najim, Abdulrahim Al-Shaqaqi, Makhlouf Douma, Nasser Dhou, Mohammed Salmi, Abdulbari Al-Shaqaqi, Fathi Al-Zankal and Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi. ICC also noted that German authorities arrested another Libyan national, Khaled Al-Haishri, on July 16, 2025, pursuant to a sealed arrest warrant issued by the Pre-Trial Chamber I. He remains in German custody pending completion of national proceedings under Article 59 of the Rome Statute.
