Maltese detained in Libya ‘sea captain who ferried medical aid’ during uprising

Captain Carmelo Grech has been detained in Libya since 13 August over an alleged visa blunder

Carmelo Grech
Carmelo Grech

The Maltese man detained in Libya has been identified as Carmelo Grech, the state broadcaster reports. Grech is a sea captain whose Facebook status reveals his base is in Misurata.

According to charge d’affairs Hussin Musrati, who represents the Tripoli administration in Malta, Grech disappeared on 13 August, possibly being held by a Libyan militia for ransom.

Musrati was speaking during a press briefing, for which MaltaToday was not invited.

According to Musrati, Grech was well-known with the Libyans having aided the citizens during the uprising and also ferried medical supplies and doctors across Libya.

In a statement issued yesterday evening, the government said the man was arrested upon his arrival at the Labrak airport. Initial information through the media revealed that Grech could have been caught up in the controversy between Libya’s rival governments over the recognition of visas.

The man was allegedly travelling with a visa issued by the Tripoli administration, and arrested in an area controlled by the internationally recognised government of Tobruk.

Musrati claimed that the Tripoli administration had been in touch with the Tobruk government, but the latter denied responsibility for the arrest.

“We would like to clarify that the visa in possession of the Maltese was not issued through our embassy or any other legal channel,” Musrati said.

He added that Tobruk embassy did not issue any visas and all visas for Libya were issued from his embassy.

The Maltese government has repeatedly issued warning against travelling to Libya. Yet, according to Musrati, his office had issued some 400 travel visas.

The rival governments do not recognise each other’s visas.

The Maltese government yesterday called for caution for a positive resolution of the case. Musrati expressed his regret that the government, while making contact with the representatives of the Tobruk government, had not made contact with him.