Charity Helps Release Libyan Political Prisoner
On Tuesday, Libya freed a political named Idris Boufayed. He was charged with trying to overthrow the Libyan government in February of 2007, and sentenced to 25 years in jail. “Boufayed had planned a protest in Tripoli to mark the first anniversary of a clash between demonstrators and police in Benghazi,” and was arrested with 10 other people. While incarcerated, he became ill with lung cancer.
When Boufayed’s health began to worsen in jail, the Gaddafi International Foundation, run by the President’s prominent son, stepped in and requested the appropriate authorities release him. They were successful in their request, and the foundation helped guarantee his transfer to a hospital, and if necessary, the travel arrangements if Bouyafed needs foreign medical care.
“Human rights activists at home and abroad are saying the Libyan government freed Boufayed for fear he may die in jail after he was left uncared for.” However, it is important to consider the fact that the Libyan government did not try to cover up this event but rather cooperated with Human Rights Groups and did the right thing in the end. Libya is still a technocratic state, so all threats to government stability must be taken seriously, but in this case they put human life above the security of the government.
David Crowley
