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Benghazi, 24 May:
The case against some 30 demonstrators accused of occupying and vandalising the offices of the state-owned Arabian Gulf Oil . . .[restrict]Company (AGOCO) was dropped yesterday owing to lack of evidence.
From 24 April to 9 May, the Benghazi offices of AGOCO were closed after they were blockaded by demonstrators demanding greater transparency on government spending, the firing of all Qaddafi-era officials and jobs for young people. They made no specific demands in relation to AGOCO, the country’s largest oil producer.
The demonstration was eventually broken up after some 30 government security personnel moved in on 9 May, resulting in a brief exchange of fire which resulted in some minor injuries, but no fatalities.
Charges were subsequently brought by the company against the demonstrators accusing them of illegally shutting down an active company and vandalising its property. It is understood that charges were not brought in relation to the shooting incident.
The judge ruled that Libyan law guaranteed the right to protest, and that there was no firm evidence that the demonstrators had actually moved inside the building or damaged company property. [/restrict]
