UN observer at Gaddafi sons’ Tripoli trial accused of black magic
'Sorcery' detention latest storm to rock hearing that rights group says is riddled with flaws
A United Nations observer at the trial of two of Muammar Gaddafi's sons in Libya has been detained on suspicion of "black magic".
Ahmed Ghanem, one of a three-strong UN team monitoring the case, was detained by security units on suspicion of occult practices.
Photographs of his identity card and possessions were posted on the internet after the detention on Sunday at Tripoli's maximum security al-Hadba prison, where the trial is being held.
A source at the prison said Ghanem, an Egyptian, was detained upon arrival to monitor the case after written material was found indicating possible "sorcery" or improper communications, and was later released. It is unclear if such an offence is recognised under Libyan law.
A UN spokesman said it was seeking an explanation from the Libyan authorities.
The incident is the latest controversy to rock a trial condemned as "riddled with procedural flaws" by Human Rights Watch.