Muslim Brothers detainees in Libya freed
Libya, Politics, 3/3/2006

The Libyan authorities yesterday released all members of the banned Muslim Brothers detainees seized since 1998. They number 84 persons.

Official sources said that releasing them was held in a large celebration in frnt of Tripoli Prison, in the presence of their relatives.

The sources indicated that one of their colleague was released in February because of bad health conditions of his imprisonment and according to the interference of al-Qathafi international charity society which is led by Seif al-Islam, the son of the Libyan leader Muammad al-Qathafi.

The sources confirmed that the 85 released men are the last group of Islamists detained by authorities since the detention of 152 university students at the charge of joining the banned group in 1998.

The People's Court which was dissolved in December 2004 issued in 2002 death sentences against two detainees and life imprisonment for other 73. The court also sentenced many others for ten imprisonment and other 66 were found non guilty.

Following the dismantling of the People's Court, the Libyan judiciary ordered the retrial of the Muslim Brothers group.

The Libyan leader in January called for forming a fact finding commission into prisons, in order to make sure that no opinion prisoners are being held.

Worthy mentioning that the Qathafi charity foundation had recommended in June 2005 the release of all prisoners who have links to Islamic organizations with the exception of groups which call for violence and uses it as a means to impose its views.

According to official sources, the groups which call for violence and were excluded by the Qathafi foundation from consideration for release recommendation, include 498 prisoners that affiliate to 8 Islamic organizations.

Meantime, the Official news agency quoted today the Libyan leader saying during a national celebration of the founding the the Libyan system of government "We the Libyans are proud of this historic and great work on earth while other people of the world are suffering from the dictatorship of governments and rulers who falsify the will of the people and their power and speak on their behalf while these masses are innocent of all their behaviors."

Previous Stories:
  Italian consulate in Benghazi burnt, many killed in cartoon protests   (2/18/2006)
  Human Rights Watch call Libya to release political prisoners   (1/26/2006)
  Muslim Brothers case to be sentenced by the end of January 2006   (12/23/2005)
  Qathafi: citizens should make government policies; no need for power rotation   (11/26/2005)

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