Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) is dissatisfied with Russia's position in the international arena and is trying to win Moscow's support through various manipulations, believes the political scientist Vladimir Shapovalov. As a kind of leverage, the terrorists are using captive sociologists Maxim Shugalei and Samer Sueifan.
Earlier, Alexander Malkevich, the head of the Foundation for National Values Protection, posted an audio recording of a telephone conversation between Khaled al-Mishri, the head of the Libyan High Council of State, and Younes Abazid, an employee of the Foundation for National Values Protection, on his Telegram channel.
The conversation looked like an outright blackmail on the part of terrorists. They offered to resolve the issue with the Russian sociologists in exchange for political support from the Russian government. At the same time, al-Mishri admitted that Maxim Shugalei and Samer Sueifan are not guilty of anything, and they might be only charged with violating the visa regulations.
Vladimir Shapovalov said the published recording confirmed that two Russian citizens were indeed hostages.
“In fact, it is blackmailing,” said Shapovalov. “These methods are used by pirates and terrorists. The former do it in order to get money, and the latter ones, in order to achieve political goals. In this case, it is not about just money issues. Apparently, by holding the Russians hostage, the Libyan GNA is trying to impose its conditions on Russia and to squeeze the preferential advantages of some sort from it.”
He stressed that Russia would not rise to the bait by complying with the terrorists’ requests. The GNA militants have taken the Russian citizens hostages, and this in itself is a crime against humanity.
“Innocent people are in prison, and this is a serious issue,” said Shapovalov. “We are aware of other actions by the Libyan GNA causing harm to the health of foreign citizens. Currently, this is the case with the Russians.”
Shapovalov noted that the actions of the GNA have nothing to do with the interests of the Libyan people as well.
“This is struggle for power and materialization of certain political objectives, which, apparently, are hindered by Russia's strict, balanced and objective position in the international arena,” said Shapovalov. “Russia demonstrates its desire to protect the Libyan people and to ensure their right to live a normal life as well as to stop terrorism in Libya.”
It should be recalled that the Russian scientists Maxim Shugalei and Samer Sueifan were legally doing social research in Libya in May 2019 when they were illegally taken into custody and placed in an unofficial prison Mitiga by the terrorists of Libyan GNA. The two Russians are still behind bars without any charges.