Libya: Stay away from Swiss
2008-07-29 12:45
Tripoli - Libya on Tuesday advised its citizens not to visit Switzerland to avoid "arbitrary measures" - an apparent reference to the brief detention in Geneva of a son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
"As a result of arbitrary measures, disrespect and humiliation of Libyan and other Arab citizens by the Swiss authorities, (the ministry) advises Libyan citizens not to travel to Switzerland to avoid such arbitrary measures," a foreign ministry statement said.
The statement followed a row sparked by the arrest in a Geneva hotel on July 15 of Hannibal Gaddafi, 32, and his wife for allegedly assaulting members of their staff. Both denied the allegations and had been freed on bail of 500 000 Swiss francs (€312 500).
Libya had already reacted by suspending oil supplies to Switzerland, closing down several Swiss firms in Libya and arresting two Swiss nationals, allegedly for immigration offences.