By Ahraf Abdul-Wahab.
Tripoli, 20 August 2013:
The trial of Mansour Dhau, Qaddafi’s personal security chief, started today in Misrata.
Dhou was captured in . . .[restrict]Sirte by Misrata forces on 20 October 2011 after he was injured in the airstrike which destroyed the convoy in which he was traveling with Qaddafi. He facing a number of charges, including employing foreign mercenaries to set up rocket launchers to attack NATO aircraft and the theft of vehicles in Tripoli district.
Replying to the latter charge today, he reportedly said: “I am, Mr President, not a thief. Stealing is not part of my nature. I have purchased more than 2,000 cars from known people and all the paperwork which proves purchase and ownership of these cars was handed over to the prosecution. I did not steal anything and as such I would like to lodge a law suit against those who falsely accused me of stealing.”
Asked by the court as to if he had any requests, he replied: “I ask to be released.”
The Appeal Court in Misrata, which is has started dealing with cases involving Qaddafi-era figures, has already established a reputation of being severe. It sentenced Former Education Minister Ahmad Ibrahim and five other men to death on Wednesday 31 July along for incitement to discord and undermining state security during the revolution. [/restrict]
