Rebel death squad body count grows

Donatella Rovera published an account of her recent visit to Benghazi on Amnesty's website today, which details a string of gruesome killings in recent weeks apparently conducted by the rebels or "thuwwar."

Ms Rovera says that at least three men who had allegedly worked for Libya's Internal Security Agency (ISA) were killed in "chilling summary-execution style attacks" since April 22, while "many" migrant workers from sub-Saharan Africa have suffered the same fate.

The body of the latest victim, a father of six, was found on May 10 on the outskirts of Benghazi according to Ms Rovera.

"He had been shot in the head, his hands and feet were bound and a scarf was tightly tied around his neck.

"He was missing a piece of flesh from his right calf and marks on his trousers indicated that he had been kneeling.

"A blood-stained note bearing his name was found by the body; it said that '... a dog among Gaddafi's dogs has been eliminated'."

At least two other alleged ISA members, both fathers, have been kidnapped before apparently being tortured to death.

No one has been arrested in the recent spate of killings, and Jamal Bennour, who heads the rebels' overwhelmed judicial department, indicated that no investigation is planned.

"Many murders have been committed since the revolution - but it is very hard at this time for the police to arrest a man carrying a weapon," he said.

foreigneditor@peoples-press.com