19 April 2010
Libya: Families of victims of the Abu Salim prison massacre targeted in attack
The families of the victims of the Abu Salim prison massacre went out to demonstrate on Saturday, 17 April 2010, just as they go out every Saturday. Their peaceful protest consists of marching in front of Benghazi Court demanding that the Libyan government disclose the facts and events surrounding the June 1996 massacre. However, on this fateful Saturday, the Libyan authorities decided to lashback. A government supported families' association for the prison guards and police involved in the massacre rallied a counter-protest and attacked the victims' families.
The victim's families tried to relocate their peaceful protest in order to avoid a confrontation with the so-called "The Family of the Matyrs of Duty" association, but the mob violently attacked them. Aqila Al-Badri, the Secretary of the "Matyrs" association and a key member, led the throng armed with a large machete. Al-Badria then slashed the head of lead coordinator for the victim's families, Fathi Tarbil, a lawyer, who would later be taken to hospital for emergency treatment.
Once Fathi Tarbil had his wound sown and bandaged, he went to the local police station to make a complaint on behalf of the victim's families. He then discovered that Al-Badri had also submitted a complaint, however against the victim's families protestors! Sources have confirmed that the Al-Badri's counter-protest was not simply a coincidence; in fact it had been prepared in advanced with the help and coordination of the Libya's top security forces in order to incite the "Secretary of Justice" to issue a decision prohibiting demonstrations under the pretext of maintaining public security and safety.
Alkarama applauds Fathi Tarbil's struggle and courage in defense of the victims of the Abu Salim prison massacre, and above all, human rights in Libya. This violent incident should not go unnoticed, and Alkarama now requests that the Libyan authorities open an investigation into 17 April 2010 attack, especially the involvement of Aqila Al-Badri and his fellow aggressors. olved with him, pointing in the same now that it will raise the case to the relevant United Nations mechanisms.