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Africa North |
Libya hands down death sentences to Islamic State fighters |
2023-05-31 |
[AFRICANEWS] A Libyan court on Monday condemned to death 35 jihadists convicted of fighting with the Islamic State group in the north African country during chaos that followed Muammar Gadhafi's fall, AFP journalists in the court said. This was the first group of 320 alleged IS jihadists to be tried and sentenced. IS had captured the central coast city of Sirte in 2015, setting up a stronghold before being driven out the following year by forces loyal to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord in power at the time. Thirteen other accused were sentenced to life in prison, after the trial that began last August in the western city of Misrata, the AFP journalists said. The accused were Palestinian, Sudanese and Libyan. All had been in custody since December 2016 and were convicted of joining a terrorist group, as well as murder. Some others were acquitted but exactly how many was not clear. In addition, the court sentenced three minors to 10 years in prison each, said lawyer Lotfi Mohaychem, who represented families of anti-IS fighters killed in the battle for Sirte. The suspects appeared in the dock clad in blue prison overalls, bearded and with shaven heads. Relatives of those killed in the Sirte battle filled the packed the courtroom. "As lawyers for the victims' families we see the verdict of the court as very satisfying and very just," Mohaychem said. "The court sentenced those whose guilt was demonstrated and acquitted those against whom there was insufficient evidence." When the verdicts were read, cries of joy and applause filled the room along with shouts of, "God is greatest" and, "The blood of the martyrs has not been spilled in vain". Related: Sirte: 2023-05-17 Spokesperson says one of Libya’s rival administrations has suspended its prime minister Sirte: 2023-04-30 Haftar's militias arrest activists for planning a seminar on elections Sirte: 2023-01-09 Libyan Army Intercepts 360 Migrants Related: Misrata: 2023-01-15 Strategy Page Annual Wars Summary for 2022 Misrata: 2022-12-19 Libyan Militiamen Arrested Lockerbie Suspect Before Handing him to US Misrata: 2022-12-18 Libya militia held Lockerbie suspect before handover to US |
Posted by:Fred |