TRIPOLI, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Monday called for immediate release of two Libyan journalists detained without an arrest warrant since the end of April.

"UNSMIL calls for the immediate release of Head and ED of Septimius Award for journalist -- Suliman Gashout & Mohamed Yaghubi-- who were arrested without a warrant on 29 April & remain in arbitrarily detention, with no access to judicial authorities and at risk of torture and ill-treatment, " the mission said in a statement later on Monday.

The Special Deterrent Force of the Libyan Interior Ministry arrested the two journalists for their alleged involvement in "ethical violations and sexual assault."

The arrest angered the journalism and arts communities in Libya. A number of journalists and artists protested outside the government headquarters in Tripoli.

The Septimius Award, established since 2012, honors distinguished journalists, media professionals and artists in Libya.