Over 1,000 victims of Tripoli jail massacre found in mass grave
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A mass grave believed to contain the bodies of more than 1,000 people killed by Muammar Gaddafi's security forces in a massacre 16 years ago has been uncovered in Tripoli.
Small heaps of human remains were pulled from the earth yesterday by anti-Gaddafi gunmen who flocked to the site outside Abu Salim prison. The prison has taken on iconic significance for Libya's new rulers, whose uprising against Gaddafi first erupted when families of inmates killed at Abu Salim demonstrated in Benghazi to demand the release of their lawyer.
"I am happy this revolution succeeded, and that our country will be better," Sami al-Saadi, 45, who claims to have lost two brothers during the massacre, told Reuters. "But when I stand here, I remember my brothers who were killed."
"We are dealing with more than 1,270 martyrs and must distinguish each one from the other by comparing their DNA with family members," said Dr Osman Abdul Jalil, a medical official. "It may take years to reach the truth."
Khaled al-Sharif, spokesman for the Tripoli Military Council, said investigators had found the site about two weeks ago, relying on information from people detained on suspicion of involvement in the massacre.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments