More than 1,000 escape Libyan prison near Benghazi
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 28 July 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, More than 1,000 escape Libyan prison near Benghazi, 28 July 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/520894ca8.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 28, 2013
Authorities in Libya say more than 1,000 inmates escaped from a prison as protesters stormed political party offices across the country.
The protests were the latest sign of unrest gripping a country overrun by militias and awash in weaponry.
It wasn't immediately clear if the jailbreak from the Al-Kweifiya prison near Benghazi was tied to the demonstrations.
Demonstrators massed across Libya on July 27 to protest the killing of an activist who was critical of Islamists in Libya's Muslim Brotherhood.
Security officials say inmates at the prison started to riot and set fires in the facility after guards opened fire on three detainees who were trying to escape.
Gunmen quickly arrived outside the prison after news of the riot spread, opening fire with rifles to help free imprisoned relatives.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
