Militias detaining Medavia officials 'surprised' at Maltese 'involvement' in case

Libyan online newspaper Tipolipost.com reported last night that a source close to the Zawiyah militias has insisted that "that no foreign government has the right to interfere in Libya's internal affairs."

He said that although Zmirli might also have Maltese citizenship, he is primarily a Libyan, and will be treated well and if he is found to be innocent, he will be released in due time."

The source was reportedly reacting to the news that Malta, through its foreign affairs minister, was making representations with the Libyan government in order to be granted diplomatic access to the two Medavia officials, and that the Libyan authorities were "actively considering" Malta's request.

According to The Times, the Maltese government asked to be formally notified of the charges against the two men.

A judicial decision to charge or release the men still had to be taken, but Libyan sources said the Zawija police seem to have applied a Gaddafi-era law that allows detention for up to 45 days.

Zmirli, managing director of Malta-based air services company Medavia, and the firm's technical general manager Abdalla Dekna were arrested by Libyan anti-militia police last week.

"The request to have access to Zmirli was made in the past days and we are informed it is being actively considered by the Libyan authorities," foreign minister Francis Zammit Dimech told The Times yesterday.

He said the Government was closely monitoring the situation and keeping contact with people close to the men.

Zammit Dimech said the Government could not interfere with the judicial process of another country but was making sure the men were looked after.

"We are assured that Zmirli and Dekna are being well looked after and they have access to a lawyer," he said.