09.02.12 Libya Focus
Trial of Qadhafi loyalists begins
In recent weeks there has been extremely adverse publicity about the abuse of
Colonel Mu'ammar Qadhafi loyalist prisoners being held in ad hoc prison camps by various militias, of
which the powerful Misrata militia seems to be the most culpable. This was then
followed by Human Rights Watch which reported that Qadhafi's former ambassador
to
France, Omar Brebesh, had died after being interrogated and tortured by the Zintan militia.
On 5 February, the legal proceedings began surrounding the status of 41 Libyans
who have been charged with murder and assisting in the escape of prisoners
while
supporting Colonel Qadhafi's regime against the popular revolt. The
much-publicised trial, which is taking place at a Benghazi military base, was,
however,
immediately postponed until 15 February. A dispute over the legality of the
proceedings against the accused being held before a military court has yet to
be
settled.
Meanwhile, the promised trial of Saif al-Islam Qadhafi continues to remain on hold and there is growing concern about his physical and
mental health and the lack of access to any legal support since he was captured
on 19 November 2011.
For more news and expert analysis about Libya, please see Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.
© 2012 Menas Associates