Rights group says ex-Libyan spy chief needs medical care

Feb 15, 2012, 12:49 GMT

Beirut - Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Wednesday that Libya's former spy chief Abuzaid Dorda needed medical care for injuries sustained in custody.

The New York-based watchdog urged the Libyan government to investigate the cause of Dorda's injuries.

Dorda, 67, was detained in October 2011 by militiamen in Tripoli and was later transferred to the custody of the Tripoli Military Council, which runs security in the capital.

'Dorda feels safer now under the Tripoli Military Council, but he needs immediate access to his lawyer and sustained medical care by specialists,' said Sarah Leah Whitson, HRW Middle East and North Africa director.

Dorda served as chief of Libya's foreign intelligence from 2009 until the regime of slain leader Moamer Gaddafi was toppled in August 2011. He served as prime minister from 1990 to 1994, and Libya's chief delegate to the United Nations from 1997 to 2003.

International rights groups have repeatedly accused Libya's interim ruling National Transition Council of human rights violations.