BENGHAZI, Libya — Security authorities in Benghazi have arrested a man who successfully infiltrated a strictly women-only wedding hall by disguising himself in traditional female attire. The bizarre incident has sparked widespread privacy and security concerns across the city, prompting calls for stricter vetting at private event venues.

The incident occurred over the weekend at a prominent wedding venue in Benghazi. In accordance with local cultural and religious traditions, the celebration was strictly segregated, with only female guests, staff, and family members permitted inside the main hall.

Taking advantage of the heavily veiled and covered traditional clothing commonly worn to such events, the suspect managed to bypass the initial entrance security. Dressed in full women’s clothing and wearing a face-covering veil (niqab), he blended into the arriving crowd of guests.

However, his presence soon aroused suspicion among some of the attendees inside the hall. According to witnesses, the individual's unusual behavior, physical stature, and mannerisms did not align with his attire. After observant guests alerted venue management, female security staff approached the individual, leading to the shocking unmasking of the male intruder.

The venue's management immediately contacted local law enforcement. Officers from the Benghazi Security Directorate arrived swiftly at the scene, taking custody of the suspect before the situation could escalate among the distressed and outraged guests.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had deliberately planned the infiltration, utilizing the disguise specifically to gain access to a space where women expect complete privacy.

In Security Official Statement, "We have apprehended the suspect, who was caught red-handed inside the venue wearing female garments. This is a severe breach of privacy and societal norms. A thorough investigation is underway to determine his exact motives, including whether he intended to take unauthorized photographs or videos, or commit theft."

In many conservative communities across Libya, women-only wedding celebrations are spaces where guests feel free to remove their veils, wear formal dresses, and celebrate without the presence of unrelated men. The presence of a male intruder—especially one potentially equipped with a Smartphone camera—poses a massive threat to the privacy and reputations of the women inside.

The incident has triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with many residents demanding that wedding hall owners implement more rigorous security checks, including employing trained female security personnel at all entry points to verify the identities of veiled guests before they enter private spaces.

The suspect remains in custody and is expected to face formal legal charges related to identity fraud, trespassing, and violating public decency laws.