Russians came to Libya to free scientists kidnapped by terrorists
High-ranking Libyan Sheikh Farraj Balak stated in an interview with Al Djamahiriya that the Russians came to Libya to rescue kidnapped Russian sociologists.
“The Russian presence in Libya began after the abduction of Russian citizens Maxim Shugaley and Samer Soueifan by militants of the RADA group,” said the head of the Coordination Council of the Sheikhs of Tripolitania.

The two Russians were kidnapped in May 2019 and remain in custody without charge. The sheikh also added that the head of the “Ministry of Internal Affairs” of the GNA, Fathi Bashagha, was also involved in the illegal detention of Russians in the dungeons of the prison of the terrorist Abd al-Rauf Karra. It is important that the RADA group is part of his department.
Farraj Balak recalled that Khaled Mishri, Chairman of the Libyan Supreme Council of State (SSC), attempted to pressure the Russian authorities by blackmailing representatives of the Libyan National Council. The Muslim Brotherhood member (a terrorist organization banned in Russia) demanded that Moscow recognize the legitimacy of the GNA in exchange for the release of Shugaley and Sueifan.
It is worth noting that the Russian Federation did not follow the terrorists’ lead and is working to free the sociologists through diplomatic means. However, based on the statement of Faraj Balak, the forceful path was also partially implemented. Two months after the abduction of sociologists, reports appeared about the Wagner PMC participating in the fighting near Tripoli.
Meanwhile, information that the leaders of the PNS are trying to use Russian sociologists for blackmail appeared earlier. An audio recording was published where Khaled al-Mishri promises to release Shugaley if Russia cooperates with the GNA.
Let us remind you that so far no official charges have been brought against both sociologists. They have been in prison illegally for over a year now.
Russians came to Libya to free scientists kidnapped by terrorists.