Memories of Abu Salim Prison Massacre

HUNDREDS photos along with their names plastered on the front wall of the criminal court building in Tahrir Square, Benghazi. Every day, from morning till night, residents gathered to see carefully Benghazi hundreds of photos.

Crowds of people every day it never subsided. They come and go and see the photos. Of all the objects in Tahrir Square is a place of daily rallies antirezim Moammar Qaddafi, the photos looked the most public attention.

The faces are plastered on the wall was nothing but a photo of the victims of the massacre at Abu Salim Prison in Tripoli on June 29, 1996 is famous for. As many as 1270 prisoners were killed at the hands of Qaddafi regime. Abu Salim prison is a famous political prison in the city of Tripoli.

On top of that there are hundreds of photos pamphlets that read "Dear martyrs (heroes), Abu Salim, your blood does not flow in vain". There is also the letter of a wife to her husband, one of the victims of the massacre at Abu Salim, which reads "I will remain sincere and honest to you ever. May God meridaimu in the hereafter ".

The pictures were a witness that the truth is never swallowed period. Abu Salim Prison Massacre that occurred 14 years ago transformed into an important event for the people of Libya.

The massacre was not only stir the emotions of the people of Libya, but also one of the starting point for major changes in the land, the outbreak of revolution of 17 February.

"I have two friends who become victims of the massacre at Abu Salim Prison. That event will not be forgotten until whenever the people of Libya and will continue to be remembered as evidence of Qaddafi regime's atrocities, "said Nadir Azdin (37).

Other Libyans, Mohamed (50), revealed, four friends became victims of the massacre at Abu Salim Prison. "The massacre at Abu Salim Prison really made Qaddafi injustice against his people. Qaddafi should resign because he had a problem Libya today, "he said.

The massacre at Abu Salim Prison occurs when one unit of special forces and Libyan prison break 1270 inhabitants massacred in just a few hours. The massacre was allegedly on the orders directly Qaddafi. Qaddafi personal security chief, Abdallah al-Sanusi and Izzedine al-Hanshiri, directly involved in command and the implementation of the massacre.

Qaddafi to bury victims of security forces in several places without the knowledge of the family. Qaddafi regime has always denied the massacre and refused requests investigation of a number of parties, from within and abroad.

A prosecutor and human rights activists (HAM) Libya, Fathi Terbil, who becomes the defender and representative of the family as well as victims of the massacre at Abu Salim, was also arrested by security forces. Terbil detention sparked popular anger over the action. No fewer than 2,000 people rallied in front of the police station demanding the release Terbil in Benghazi.

Black prison

The attitude that Qaddafi's regime to avoid the responsibility of generating actions throughout antirezim Qaddafi of Libya. Amnesty International urged the establishment of an independent team to investigate the case. Human rights activists called the prison as a black prison and the case was a gross violation of human rights.

On January 24, 2010, the Government of Libya to block Youtube site after someone uploaded a video demonstration massacre victim's family in Abu Salim Prison in Benghazi demanding the release of Fathi Terbil. Blocking was severely criticized human rights activists. Two days after the Libyan revolution erupted, 17 February, the families of the massacre at Abu Salim Prison again took to the streets.

Outbreak of revolution February 17 demanding the decline Qaddafi and continues today to be inseparable from the massacre at Abu Salim. The Revolution was in fact a reflection of the people of Libya, demanding political justice, social, economic, and law, including justice in the case of the massacre at Abu Salim Prison.

So, not surprisingly, photos of victims of the massacre was a major concern in the city that is free from Qaddafi's regime, such as Tobruk and Benghazi.