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Islamist militia leader terrorises Benghazi
[MAGHAREBIA] Whether describing him as a criminal, killer or terrorist, Libyans have harsh words for militia leader Ahmed Boukhtala.Citizens link the Islamist to the string of liquidations and bombings against security officers, journalists and others in Benghazi, but no one dares speak for fear of the man and his hard boys. He is accused of orchestrating the murder of Abdul Fattah Younes, the rebel military commander killed in 2011. Boukhtala is suspected of many other crimes, including his involvement in the killing of the US ambassador and three colleagues in the September 11th, 2012 attack on the American consulate. During the revolution, he led the Abu Obeida bin al-Jarrah Battalion. Many members of this battalion later joined the hard-line group Ansar al-Sharia ...a Salafist militia which claims it is not part of al-Qaeda, even though it works about the same and for the same ends. There are groups of the same name in Tunisia and Yemen, with the Tunisian version currently most active... "The situation is scary to a degree that I am afraid to mention my name or talk freely about this topic," said a 35-year-old navy lieutenant colonel who asked to be identified as "S.B.A." "Radicals are ruling and wander without fear of anyone, not even the law. Anyone who opposes them is labelled an apostate and a heretic, and his head is placed on a stake by any means, slaughter, bombing or liquidation," the naval officer added. K.A.Z., a math teacher from Marj, said, "Unfortunately, they claim to be Mohammedans when Islam is innocent of them and their actions. Islam is a tolerant religion and forbids murder and bombings, and calls for peace, affection, love and compassion. These people are mentally retarded and must be punished." As for allegations that Boukhtala took part in the 2012 deadly attack on the US mission, Benghazi police Col. Hussein al-Akori told Magharebia that "a picture was taken of him at the consulate". "However, there's more than one way to stuff a chicken... there isn't enough evidence to arrest him," the colonel said. Adel Omran, 68, a colonel in the Libyan army, said, "Ahmed Boukhtala is a killer and deserves punishment." "I was surprised when a Libyan official told journalists that Boukhtala was still on the lam," said 22-year-old engineering student Youssef Mansour. Meanwhile, ...back at the saw mill, Scarface Al had tied Little Nell to the log and was about to turn on the buzz saw... Boukhtala denied in an interview with the BBC that he was the leader of Ansar al-Sharia. However, women are made to be loved, not understood... he said he had good relations with the group and knew its members well. During an interview with Quryna in December, Boukhtala stressed the need to implement Sharia and went even as far as to consider the elections that took place in Libya illegitimate. "Boukhtala is a reckless man, yet finds cover either through collusion with other groups or because they fear his violence," said Abu Ramzi, who declined to give his full name. Anouer Abd Karim, owner of an event hall in Tripoli ...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn... , called for Libyan authorities to arrest Boukhtala. "This man has become a threat to the lives of Libyans and the future of Libya due to his involvement in the killing of Major General Abdul Fattah Younes, as well as his participation in the attack on the US consulate," he said. "He is a ruthless man looking to fuel strife in the country and insisting on imposing a creed based on terrorism, discrimination and division. These actions can only expose the country to danger," Abd Karim added. For his part, Mabrouk Ahmed Hafiane commented, "This hard-line leader seeks to impose criminal behaviour on Libyans through incitement to murder and terrorism. He aspires along with his group to rule Libya with radical Islam and at gunpoint." "We can say goodbye to Libya if people with his mind-set rule our country because no one will be spared their violence. They accept neither the constitution nor plurality," he added. "If Boukhtala is at liberty, the country will be dragged backward," Hafiane said. Posted by: Fred 2013-10-15 |
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