The Embassy of Niger in Libya has denied that there were any of its citizens treated as slaves in Libya.

The Embassy also disclaimed the rumors of more than 8 thousand Nigerien citizens being persecuted or imprisoned in Libya.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Embassy responded to the allegations circulated by social networking sites and media reports on the exposure of migrants from Niger in Libya to mistreatment.

“Those allegations are malicious and incorrect". The statement reads.

The Embassy disclosed that the total number of Nigeriens detained in Libya is only 211; 67 of them are detained in criminal cases and are serving their sentences in three Libyan prisons.

“The others are detained because they do not carry identification papers, which the Embassy is negotiating for their release.” The statement further explained.

The Embassy denied the reports about its citizens being sold as slaves in Libya. It said it has not been informed of any sale to its citizens in any of the Libyan markets or elsewhere, adding that the reports are totally false.