Libya: Prisoner of conscience released
Posted: October 27, 2008
Libyan prisoner of conscience Idriss Boufayed. © NCLO
Libyan prisoner of conscience Idriss Boufayed was released by the Libyan authorities on Wednesday October 8, 2008.
An outspoken critic of Mu’ammar al-Qadhafi and secretary general of the Libyan organisation National Union of Reform, Idriss Boufayed was arrested on February 16, 2007, for trying to organize a peaceful demonstration against the Libyan government.
He was released on humanitarian grounds after being diagnosed with lung cancer. There were concerns that he was not receiving appropriate medical treatment and that he would need to travel abroad for treatment unavailable in Libya.
Amnesty International welcomes the release of Idriss Boufayed but stresses that it must be unconditional and that he should be allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment if he wishes.
Arrested the day before the demonstration was to take place, Idriss Boufayed was detained incommunicado until June 24, 2007. He was then brought before a court and charged with “attempting to overthrow the political system” and “communication with enemy powers”.
On June 10, 2008, Idriss Boufayed was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the State Security Court in a hearing which did not meet standards for fair trial.
Ten other men involved in organizing the demonstration continue to be detained. Amnesty International considers them to be prisoners of conscience who have been sentenced solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and assembly.