The Libyan authorities today, 22nd January 2008, carried out a death sentence handed down against Egyptian national Imad Abdel Wahed in the Hadida prison, Tripoli.
In 1999 Imad was accused of aiding Libyan Fathy el-Faytory in the murder of another Libyan national, Mohamed Ramadan el-Bahleel. The two men were convicted on 2nd July 1999.
Since that time, and in cooperation with Libyan civil society organisations and the Egyptian and Libyan authorities – and in particular the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – the Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP) has tried to persuade the victim’s family to engage in negotiations and reconciliation in order to stop the implementation of the death sentence and reduce the punishment to life imprisonment, in accordance with Libyan legislation.
The implementation of the sentence had been postponed more than once. The victim’s relatives were not persuaded to reconcile with Imad, while at the same time showing signs that they would be prepared to reconcile with his Libyan accomplice.
Twenty-six Egyptians are currently awaiting the implementation of death sentences in Libyan prisons.
ACIJLP fears that the implementation of this sentence against Imad marks the beginning of the carrying out of death sentences against other Egyptian nationals.
ACIJLP calls on the Egyptian government and the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intensify their efforts to reach a solution in order to save the lives of the imprisoned Egyptians – particularly in light of the Libyan President’s announcement that the death penalty will be abolished.
ACIJLP urges international human rights organisations and international organisations which work for the abolition of the death penalty to lobby the authorities concerned in order that they take the necessary steps to stop the implementation of the death sentences against the imprisoned Egyptians. This will mark a step towards the abolition of a punishment which is clearly at odds with international instruments protecting the right to life – a right which cannot be derogated from in any circumstances.
ACIJLP equally urges Arab governments and parliaments to re-examine the inclusion of the death penalty as a punishment in Arab penal codes.
ACIJLP is extremely saddened by the implementation of the death sentence against Imad Abdel Wahed, and hopes that this will be the last execution of an Egyptian prisoner in Libya.
