A/HRC/31/47 ordered the release of a man in Tripoli. On his way home, however, the man was reapprehended by the Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade and returned to the detention facility. 29. In some cases, individuals were abducted for potential ransom or prisoner exchange. One man from Warshafana reported that he was abducted in November 2014 by an armed group and taken to a facility in Sidi Bilal. His family paid an agreed sum for his release. In other cases, people were held until exchanged for individuals held by an opposing group. 30. Armed groups in particular also control secret or unrecognized detention facilities. OHCHR investigated a number of disappearances attributed to State forces and armed groups6 after the launch of Operation Dignity and Libya Dawn. The cases included the disappearance, on 20 October 2014, of Abd al-Nasser al-Jeroushi, a prosecutor in the South Benghazi Court. He is understood to have been abducted by an armed group at a checkpoint under the control of the Al Sai’qa battalion of the Libyan National Army, and has not been seen or heard of since. In April 2015, the Ministry of Justice informed UNSMIL that he was being held at an unofficial detention facility in Al-Marj, although the AttorneyGeneral’s office reported to OHCHR that it was unable to confirm his whereabouts. D. Torture and other ill-treatment 31. OHCHR documented numerous cases of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, particularly of individuals in detention facilities. Individuals suffered beatings with plastic pipes or electrical cables, prolonged suspension in stress positions, solitary confinement, incommunicado detention and electrocution. Many were also deprived of adequate food or water, were subjected to threats of a sexual nature, or to the extortion of payment in exchange for freedom. Torture was frequently reported by detainees as having been perpetrated at the time of arrest, during apprehension or questioning during interrogations, or during detention in facilities operated by the State and/or armed groups, as well as in makeshift facilities. 32. Torture has resulted in the death of detainees in various facilities, including at the Al-Birsis facility, the military police facility in Al-Abyar, the Military Intelligence Battalion base in Al-Rajma, Al-Sai’qa military base in Bu’atni, and in a facility reportedly operated by the Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade. 33. OHCHR observed a lack of redress for alleged cases of torture and other illtreatment. One illustrative case was that of a man, arrested in June 2014 by the Criminal Investigations Department of Al-Marj. On the day after his arrest, his body, which reportedly showed signs of torture, was transferred to Al-Abyar hospital. The autopsy report concluded that severe internal bleeding had been the cause of his death. The Prosecutor from Al-Marj sought to question an official on the incident. OHCHR understands that the Ministry of the Interior denied the request, and the case was closed. E. Gender-based violence and discrimination against women 34. There has been a series of attacks by armed groups against women promoting equality, social justice and accountability in Libya. The assassination of activists, such as Salwa Bugaighis, Fareeha Al-Berkawi and Intissar Al-Hasaeri, and the threats, harassment 6 8 In the present report, the term “disappearance” refers to enforced disappearances committed by the State as well as disappearances committed by armed groups. It is intended to reflect both the various legal regimes applicable to enforced disappearances and the factual complexity in Libya vis-à-vis the status of armed groups, many of which were theoretically brought under State ministries.