Security forces in west Libya arrested 72 out of 151 prisoners who escaped from Mellitah prison near Zuwara city, after an armed riot last Monday. The prison break led also t to the death of one prison guard.

Sabratha Security Directorate said in a statement on Wednesday that, following information about the presence of a fugitive from Mellitah prison on the outskirts of the city, the arrest team managed to detain the man and take him into custody.

As of Tuesday evening, the number of inmates returned to jail had reached 71, following the arrest of some and the voluntary surrender of others, according to a statement by the Judicial Police.

On the first day of Eid al-Fitr, Monday, a prison riot took place inside the Mellitah jail in the far west of Libya on the outskirts of the border city of Zuwara with Tunisia. The prisoners seized the gun of a guard, killing one guard and injuring others.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Judicial Police indicated that the total number of the escapees was 151 prisoners who were arrested in criminal and civil cases as well as cases related to illegal immigration.