By Libya Herald reporters.
Tripoli, 22 August 2014: Amnesty International has condemned the Derna public execution of an Egyptian accused of murder. . . .[restrict]“This was an unlawful act of brutal revenge, not justice,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty’s Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director.
“The Libyan authorities must do everything in their power to restore state institutions and the rule of law in Derna and elsewhere in the country.”
Sahraoui described the video of the execution on Tuesday of Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed at a football ground on the outskirts of Derna, as “shocking”. He said that the unlawful killing realised the greatest fears of ordinary Libyans, who found “themselves caught between ruthless armed groups and a failed state”.
The Egyptian has been accused of murder. His execution was organised by the Shura Council of Islamic Youth. It is being said that the single shot to the head was fired by the brother of the man who had earlier been stabbed to death, allegedly by the Egyptian.
Sahraoui said he believed the execution “can only lead to further human rights abuses in Derna, where residents have no recourse to state institutions and therefore no means to seek justice or effective protection from abuses.
“The Libyan authorities, with the support of the international community, must urgently address the breakdown of law and order that has persisted in Derna and elsewhere following the end of Colonel al-Gaddafi’s rule.” [/restrict]
