Tunisia nabs UN official on suspicion of ‘spying’

Tunisia has arrested a United Nations (UN) official charged with monitoring alleged violations of an international arms embargo on Libya on suspicion of “spying.”

Tunisian authorities arrested Moncef Kartas, a member of the panel of experts of the UN’s Libya Sanctions Committee, after he arrived in the capital, Tunis, on Tuesday, a UN spokesman told AFP on Friday.

“We are in contact with the Tunisian authorities to know why he (Kartas) has been held for questioning,” a UN statement said, noting that Kartas enjoys diplomatic immunity.

According to Tunisia website universnews, Kartas has dual Tunisian and German nationality.

The Tunisian Interior Ministry said in a statement on Friday that two Tunisian citizens, including Kartas, had been detained on suspicion of “spying for foreign parties.”

“Confidential documents containing sensitive detailed data capable of harming national security were seized (from the suspects), along with technical equipment for jamming and intercepting communications that is banned in our country,” the ministry said.

It added that investigations were ongoing.

ME