Rights group says Libya's ex-envoy to France died after torture

Feb 3, 2012, 11:07 GMT

Cairo - A Libyan diplomat who served as ambassador to France under the rule of former leader Moamer Gaddafi died from torture after he was captured by Libyan militia, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Friday.

In the latest report on alleged abuses by former rebels who fought against Gaddafi last year, the group said Omar Brebesh appeared to have died less than 24 hours after he was detained on January 19.

'The torture and killing of detainees is sadly an ongoing activity by some Libyan militias,' said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at HRW.

'These abusive militias will keep torturing people until they are held to account. Libya's leaders should show the political will to prosecute people who commit serious crimes, regardless of their role in the uprising,' Whitson added.

Human Rights Watch said it saw a preliminary autopsy report that revealed the cause of death included multiple bodily injuries and fractured ribs.

Photos of Brebesh's body showed extensive bruising and the apparent removal of toenails, indicating that he was tortured prior to death, the New York-based group.

It says that a Zintan prosecutor had opened an investigation into the death.

'The Libyan government should send a message that it will not tolerate torture and vigilante justice,' Whitson said. 'The rule of law, and punishment for crimes, apply to all Libyans, including those who fought against Moamer Gaddafi.'

Brebesh, 62, served in the Libyan embassy to France from 2004 to 2008, first as cultural attache and then as acting ambassador for the last nine months of his posting.

Since the conflict began against Gaddafi forces last year, international rights groups have repeatedly accused the ruling National Transition Council of human rights violations and charged that it is unwilling to hold its fighters accountable for them.