Two British journalists working for Press TV, the Islamic Republic’s English-language television network, have been arrested in Libya.
Press TV reported on its website that Nicholas Davies and cameraman Gareth Montgomery-Johnson were arrested along with two local citizens in Tripoli.
The British Foreign Office has confirmed that the two British nationals were detained on Wednesday, adding that: “The embassy in Tripoli is providing consular assistance."
Montgomery-Johnson’s sister has spoken to the media about her family’s concern for her brother’s well-being, adding that she learned of his arrest on Thursday from a friend who read about it on the Press TV website.
"I am asking the government to please do everything they can and keep us informed,” she was quoted as saying to the South Wales Evening Post.
According to a report by the Guardian, the four people arrested “were detained by members of the Misrata brigade, and efforts are underway to secure their release.”
In the past year, Libyan rebel forces backed by NATO support toppled Gaddafi’s regime. Both Britain and Iran aligned themselves with the rebel forces from the start of the upheaval.
However, Press TV has been recently reporting on human rights abuses by the Libyan militiamen who overthrew Gaddafi’s regime.
