In this episode, we speak with Frey Lindsay, a journalist with the transparency and civil liberties organisation Statewatch.

He tells us how the so-called Libyan Coastguard is far from a unified organisation but is, in fact, an amalgamation of groups with different structures and vying allegiances.

Frey also tells us about a leaked EU document, obtained by Statewatch recently, that proposes the bloc outsource its SAR operations in the Mediterranean to non-European countries and have them take the rescued to non-EU ports.

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---Show notes---

Follow Frey Lindsay on BlueSky: @freylindsay.bsky.social

You can read Frey's InfoMigrants article on the Libyan Coastguards here: https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/67224/the-libyan-coast-guard--explained

For more on Statewatch, check out: statewatch.org

Follow them on Bluesky: @statewatch.bsky.social

Check out Statewatch's Outsourcing Borders project: statewatch.org/outsourcing-borders-monitoring-eu-externalisation-policy

And sign up to their newsletter here: statewatch.org/outsourcing-borders-monitoring-eu-externalisation-policy/mailing-list/

Frey mentions the Ocean Viking and SOS Mediterranee. For more on them, check out episodes episode 75 and 80 of The Civil Fleet Podcast

For more on Libya and the so-called Libya Coastguard, listen to episodes 80, 79, 75, 65m 55, 52, 43, 29, 23, 19, 15, 10, 7 and 1

Frey mentions Lighthouse Reports. Check them out here: lighthousereports.com. And listen to episodes 52 and 34

For more on Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni meeting with Libyan warlord General Khalifa Haftar, see this report from InfoMigrants: https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/48746/italylibya-meloni-meets-haftar-migration-a-priority

For more on the TBZ brigade and General Haftar's alleged links to human trafficking, see this report in Spiegal International: https://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/more-like-kidnapping-a-brutal-libyan-militia-helps-europe-keep-migrants-at-bay-a-0c68d2b5-37bd-4267-b98c-8279a059e2bc

For more on the EU's plans for an MRCC in eastern Libya, read this Statewatch report: https://www.statewatch.org/news/2026/january/eu-to-increase-lethal-migration-cooperation-with-libya/

For more on the Piantedosi Decree, listen to episodes 84, 71 and 66

Check out this 2018 report on the EU's 'disembarkation platforms' idea: https://www.politico.eu/article/regional-disembarkation-platforms-eu-leaders-consider-camps-outside-bloc-to-process-refugees/

And check out The Civil Fleet's new exclusive story (that Ben mentions at the beginning and end of the episode) here: https://thecivilfleet.wordpress.com/2026/02/06/at-least-14-people-died-in-home-office-asylum-seeker-accommodation-in-first-six-months-of-2025/