Egyptian Ahmed Ghanem is detained in Tripoli where he is monitoring trial of two of Muammar Gaddafi's sons

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

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 on Sunday after written material was found indicating possible "sorcery" or improper communications, and was later released by judicial police. It is unclear if such an offence is recognised under Libyan law.

UN spokesman Samir Ghattas said a "strong protest" had been made to Libya about the detention of the official. "It is worth mentioning that UN staff enjoy immunity," he said.

The incident is the latest controversy to rock a trial condemned as "riddled with procedural flaws" by Human Rights Watch.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, his younger brother Saadi and the former spy chief Abdullah al-Senussi are all charged with war crimes, but have complained of having neither lawyers nor access to evidence in a case that began last month.

The decision by the international criminal court (ICC) to allow Libya to try Senussi, who is also wanted by The Hague, may be examined by the United Nations after complaints by his lawyers.

Senussi's lawyers have written to the ICC saying Libya has denied them access to their client and have asked that the UN investigate the trial process.

"When those who are sent by the UN to monitor the trial are themselves arrested by militia, how can the international community expect those actually on trial to be treated fairly?" said Rod Dixon QC, one of Senussi's ICC-appointed legal team.

The trial is taking place amid international concerns over Libya's deteriorating security situation, after Jordan handed a prisoner jailed for terrorist offences to Libya in return for the release by kidnappers of its Tripoli ambassador Fawaz al-Itan, abducted last month.

And western officials are reassessing security precautions after Tripoli's main diplomatic compound, Palm City, was attacked twice this week in battles that left one gunman dead.