Libya: ICRC delegate murdered in Sirte
04-06-2014 News Release 14/96
Tripoli/Geneva (ICRC) – The ICRC condemns in the strongest possible terms the murder of its staff member Michael Greub. The 42-year-old Swiss national, head of the organization's Misrata sub-delegation, was killed by armed men around midday today in the city of Sirte.
"The ICRC vigorously condemns this heinous attack," said Director-General Yves Daccord. "Michael was just leaving a meeting with two colleagues when their vehicle was targeted by a group of armed men. Michael was fatally wounded."
"We are devastated and outraged," he added. "Michael was a devoted humanitarian who spent many years of his life helping others."
Mr Greub worked for the ICRC for more than seven years, carrying out assignments in Iraq, Sudan, Yemen, and Gaza. He had been in his post in Misrata since March 2014. The two other staff members who were with him when the incident occurred were unharmed.
The ICRC has had a permanent presence since 2011 in Libya, where it has provided humanitarian services for detainees, traced missing persons, worked with the Libyan Red Crescent to help people injured or displaced by violence, and trained Libyan Red Crescent and other volunteers to administer first aid.
For further information, please contact:
Wolde-Gabriel Saugeron, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 79 244 64 05
David-Pierre Marquet, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 79 536 92 48
Salah Uddin, ICRC Tripoli, tel: +218 91 930 77 06