Libya urged to halt military trial of Jalil
2012-12-21 14:17
Tripoli - Libya should suspend the trial of former interim
leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil before a military court and stop civilian cases in
such tribunals, a rights watchdog said.
"Libyan authorities should immediately cancel the
impending trial of former National Transitional Council chairperson Mustafa
Abdel Jalil in front of a military court," Human Rights Watch said in a
statement issued late on Thursday.
The New York-based group urged the Libyan authorities to
amend the law to prohibit military courts from trying civilians and to include
a guarantee in the yet-to-be drafted constitution to the same effect.
"Dragging civilians in front of a military tribunal
clearly violates international law and sets a dangerous precedent for Libya's
civilian justice system," HRW's Joe Stork said in the statement.
The trial of Abdel Jalil, the group added, should be
transferred to a "civilian court if there is credible proof of
wrongdoing".
Abdel Jalil, accused of abuse of power and undermining
national security over the killing of a rebel general in Libya's 2011 revolt,
faces a travel ban and is due to appear in court on 20 February.
