News24
16 May 2019, 02:11 GMT+10
The United Nations on Wednesday rejected Tunisia's reasons for the arrest in March of a UN expert on suspicion of espionage and demanded that charges against him be dropped.
Tunisia had submitted documents to the United Nations detailing the case against Moncef Kartas, a member of the UN panel of experts on Libya, who was detained on arrival in Tunis on March 26.
After reviewing the documents, the UN formally notified Tunisia's government that Kartas enjoys diplomatic immunity and "requested Mr Kartas' immediate release and for the charges against him to be dropped," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.
The United Nations "remains very concerned by the continued detention and prosecution" of Kartas, a Tunisian-German dual national who has been a member of the panel since 2016.
The spokesman declined to provide details on the documents submitted by Tunisia, but made clear that the contents were unconvincing.
In mid-April, the world body had asked Tunisia to provide the reasons for his arrest, in line with its international legal obligations.
Kartas' lawyers have said that the charges were linked to the arms expert's possession of a device allowing him to have access to data on flights of civil and commercial aircraft.
The panel of experts investigates allegations of violations of the arms embargo and other sanctions imposed on Libya.
On April 4, Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar launched an operation to seize the capital Tripoli from the UN-recognised government.
The panel has reported that arms and ammunition deliveries continue to reach warring parties despite the UN embargo - with the involvement of member states.
Get a daily dose of Zimbabwe Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Zimbabwe Star.
More InformationLONDON, U.K.: At least 13 people are believed to have taken their own lives as a result of the U.K.'s Post Office scandal, in which...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Travelers at U.S. airports will no longer need to remove their shoes during security screenings, Department of Homeland...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: An elaborate impersonation scheme involving artificial intelligence targeted senior U.S. and foreign officials in...
SLUBICE, Poland: Poland reinstated border controls with Germany and Lithuania on July 7, following Germany's earlier reintroduction...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: After months of warnings from former federal officials and weather experts, the deadly flash floods that struck the...
MOSCOW, Russia: Just hours after his sudden dismissal by President Vladimir Putin, Russia's former transport minister, Roman Starovoit,...
New Delhi [India], July 11 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Praveen Khandelwal criticised the comments made Punjab Chief Minister...
New Delhi [India], July 11 (ANI): Ireland batter Peter Moor has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 35...
By Reena Bhardwaj Washington, DC [[US], July 11 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) announced that the US will...
Vancouver [Canada], July 11 (ANI): Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman called the attack on a cafe owned by comedian Kapil Sharma a...
KHARTOUM, July 10 (Xinhua) -- It was 2 p.m. in a displacement camp on the outskirts of Port Sudan, where the relentless sun had already...
The 17th BRICS summit was more than a photo op. It was a coordinated rejection of Western power and a declaration of intent A few...