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
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