His uncle was killed in April 2004, and his brother was kidnapped in Kufra on 1 December 2005, just prior to the 2009 governorate elections, in which Zurfi was running.
His uncle was assassinated in April 2004, and his brother was abducted in Kufra on December 1, 2005, just before the 2009 provincial elections, during which Zurfi was a candidate.