Libya releases detained ICC officials after apology
Source: Agencies |
July 3, 2012, Tuesday
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LIBYA yesterday freed four officials from the International Criminal Court whose detention since early June on spying allegations had plunged the interim government into its biggest diplomatic controversy since last year's revolution.
Australian lawyer Melinda Taylor and Lebanese-born interpreter Helene Assaf were held in the town of Zintan and accused of smuggling documents and hidden recording devices to Moammar Gadhafi's captured son Seif al-Islam Gadhafi. Two male ICC staff who were travelling with Taylor and Assaf stayed with them.
The four were freed yesterday after an apology from the ICC, whose president, Song Sang-hyun, traveled to Zintan for the release after weeks of pressure from the Hague-based court, the United Nations Security Council, NATO and the Australian government.
"I wish to apologize for the difficulties which arose due to this series of events. In carrying out of its duties (the ICC) has no intention to compromise the national security of Libya," Song told a news conference in the western town.
Taylor and Assaf emerged after the news conference from a small room where they had been waiting and were taken to another area where they ate lunch. They looked tired and were dressed in black Islamic robes with their hair partially covered, but were smiling.
The four were to leave for Europe on a night flight arranged by Italy, the Italian ambassador in Tripoli said.
Taylor had been sent to Libya to represent Seif al-Islam, whom the ICC wants extradited to face charges of war crimes allegedly committed during the NATO-backed revolt that toppled his father last year. Libya has so far refused to extradite Saif al-Islam, saying it would prefer to try him in its own courts.
"The agreement was that there would be a continuation of the negotiations with the ICC," Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed Abdel Aziz told the news conference.
Experts say Seif al-Islam is unlikely to get a fair trial in Libya, where the arrests of the ICC officials only served to highlight the challenges the interim government faces in imposing its authority on the myriad militias who helped topple Gadhafi and are now vying for power.
Australian lawyer Melinda Taylor and Lebanese-born interpreter Helene Assaf were held in the town of Zintan and accused of smuggling documents and hidden recording devices to Moammar Gadhafi's captured son Seif al-Islam Gadhafi. Two male ICC staff who were travelling with Taylor and Assaf stayed with them.
The four were freed yesterday after an apology from the ICC, whose president, Song Sang-hyun, traveled to Zintan for the release after weeks of pressure from the Hague-based court, the United Nations Security Council, NATO and the Australian government.
"I wish to apologize for the difficulties which arose due to this series of events. In carrying out of its duties (the ICC) has no intention to compromise the national security of Libya," Song told a news conference in the western town.
Taylor and Assaf emerged after the news conference from a small room where they had been waiting and were taken to another area where they ate lunch. They looked tired and were dressed in black Islamic robes with their hair partially covered, but were smiling.
The four were to leave for Europe on a night flight arranged by Italy, the Italian ambassador in Tripoli said.
Taylor had been sent to Libya to represent Seif al-Islam, whom the ICC wants extradited to face charges of war crimes allegedly committed during the NATO-backed revolt that toppled his father last year. Libya has so far refused to extradite Saif al-Islam, saying it would prefer to try him in its own courts.
"The agreement was that there would be a continuation of the negotiations with the ICC," Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed Abdel Aziz told the news conference.
Experts say Seif al-Islam is unlikely to get a fair trial in Libya, where the arrests of the ICC officials only served to highlight the challenges the interim government faces in imposing its authority on the myriad militias who helped topple Gadhafi and are now vying for power.
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