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Efforts continue to free British journalists held in Libya | Efforts continue to free British journalists held in Libya |
(40 minutes later) | |
By Gabriel Gatehouse BBC News, Tripoli | By Gabriel Gatehouse BBC News, Tripoli |
Efforts are continuing to obtain the release of two British journalists who are being held by a group of former rebel fighters in Libya. | Efforts are continuing to obtain the release of two British journalists who are being held by a group of former rebel fighters in Libya. |
Reporter Nicholas Davies and cameraman Gareth Montgomery-Johnson were detained by members of the Misrata Brigade on Tuesday and are being held in Tripoli. | Reporter Nicholas Davies and cameraman Gareth Montgomery-Johnson were detained by members of the Misrata Brigade on Tuesday and are being held in Tripoli. |
It is not clear if Mr Montgomery-Johnson, a cameraman from Carmarthen, and his colleague will face charges. | It is not clear if Mr Montgomery-Johnson, a cameraman from Carmarthen, and his colleague will face charges. |
Human Rights Watch says it has been denied access to the journalists. | Human Rights Watch says it has been denied access to the journalists. |
The two men were working for the Iranian-owned, English language television station, Press TV, and were apparently filming in the capital when they were detained by militiamen on Tuesday, alongside two Libyan colleagues. | The two men were working for the Iranian-owned, English language television station, Press TV, and were apparently filming in the capital when they were detained by militiamen on Tuesday, alongside two Libyan colleagues. |
'Good health' | 'Good health' |
The British Embassy in Tripoli told the BBC it was providing consular assistance and the men appeared in good health. | The British Embassy in Tripoli told the BBC it was providing consular assistance and the men appeared in good health. |
However, after more than five days in detention, it is not clear when the men might be transferred into official custody or when any charges might be brought. | However, after more than five days in detention, it is not clear when the men might be transferred into official custody or when any charges might be brought. |
When contacted by telephone, the commander of the brigade, Faraj Sweihli, told the BBC he would not discuss the case. | When contacted by telephone, the commander of the brigade, Faraj Sweihli, told the BBC he would not discuss the case. |
Mr Sweihli is understood to have told others that the journalists' documents were not in order, and that they were uncooperative when they were detained. | Mr Sweihli is understood to have told others that the journalists' documents were not in order, and that they were uncooperative when they were detained. |
Human Rights Watch says its representatives have been denied access to the journalists, despite letters of permission from the government and the National Transitional Council. | Human Rights Watch says its representatives have been denied access to the journalists, despite letters of permission from the government and the National Transitional Council. |
Mr Davies works under the name Nick Jones. | |
Two local residents were also seized in the incident. | |
Mr Montgomery-Johnson's sister Melanie Gribble told BBC Wales the family were concerned for his welfare. | Mr Montgomery-Johnson's sister Melanie Gribble told BBC Wales the family were concerned for his welfare. |
She said her brother, who is from Carmarthen, had just returned to Libya after a two-week break to relax after working in the country since July last year. | She said her brother, who is from Carmarthen, had just returned to Libya after a two-week break to relax after working in the country since July last year. |
She said she was in regular contact with the Foreign Office and had been told her brother was suffering from an ear infection and had seen a doctor. | She said she was in regular contact with the Foreign Office and had been told her brother was suffering from an ear infection and had seen a doctor. |
She added the men were "getting on well with their guards", but that "they are very tired". | She added the men were "getting on well with their guards", but that "they are very tired". |
The case highlights the tensions between the interim authorities and the various armed groups. | The case highlights the tensions between the interim authorities and the various armed groups. |
Most of these militias say they are loyal to the government. | Most of these militias say they are loyal to the government. |
In reality, the politicians are often powerless to control the bands of former revolutionary fighters who take their orders only from their own commanders. | In reality, the politicians are often powerless to control the bands of former revolutionary fighters who take their orders only from their own commanders. |