After he was tortured, Hussein was allegedly held in a cargo container without a mattress or blanket and with no access to medical care. He was found dead the next morning, and his body was transferred to Tripoli Medical Centre.
Hussein Radwan Raheel’s family was informed of his detention by a friend, who told them that officers from his unit arrested him after he reported to the Military Compound of the Saiqa Forces in Tripoli at about 11:00am on 1 December. One of his commanding officers confirmed to his family that he was interrogated about the disappearance of a military vehicle from the compound. At no point during his detention were his family allowed to visit or speak to him on the phone.
The next day, they learned through personal contacts that Hussein Radwan Raheel had died. After confirming hjs identity, the family reported his death to Hadba police. His body was referred for forensic examination by order of the prosecution.
Two other members of the Saiqa Unit, including Mohammad Faraj Tarhouni aged 23 were detained on the same day and were held under interrogation for a week. Both were referred to the military prosecution on 8 December and are currently held in a Military Prison in Tripoli. Amnesty International fears that they might have also been tortured or ill-treated.
In September 2013, the Libyan Prime Minister praised the Saiqa Forces, saying that they will represent “the birth of the new Libyan army”.
“As Libyan people take to the streets to call for the return of the police and the national army to restore security and order, the authorities must ensure that the ’new Libyan Army’ is an accountable and professional body that enforces the rule of law rather than further undermining it,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.
Any international efforts to support the rebuilding of the Libyan security sector or to train Libyan soldiers must also emphasize the respect for human rights principles.
(Source: Amnesty International)