Almasri arrest, victims' lawyers: 'Compensation from the Italian government'
After the general's arrest in Libya, lawyers of those tortured speak out
Key points
Not only opposition figures comment on the arrest in Tripoli of Osama Njeem Almasri. There are also those who give voice to those who were victims of the general's torture, namely their lawyers.
"We will demand compensation from the government"
The first to speak was Angela Bitonto, lawyer of an Ivorian woman, who has lived in Italy for years and was a victim of Almasri's torture. 'I am overjoyed,' she said, 'but for the Italian State it is a big disgrace. I am ready to file a claim for compensation against the Prime Minister's Office and the ministers involved in this affair'.
As for what will happen now, it will be necessary 'to understand what the developments might be, whether he will be tried there (in Libya, ed. I have hope that my client will get justice but as an Italian citizen I am really disappointed and mortified because Italy did not arrest him when it had Almasri in its hands'.
The case of Lam Magok Biel Ruei
The lawyer Francesco Romeo, who follows Lam Magok Biel Ruei, also took 'note of the news of the arrest' and at the same time wanted to wait to 'see how this situation develops'. Coming from South Sudan, he tried to reach Italy on a boat in 2020, but was intercepted by Libyan militia. Detained in Mitiga prison, where he met Almasri, he said he was tortured by him and treated as a slave.
He then arrived in Italy thanks to a UNHCR humanitarian corridor, he reported the facts to the International Criminal Court. And afterwards, when Almasri was repatriated to Libya, he filed a expose against Meloni and her ministers for aiding and abetting. "The government has made me a victim a second time," she said at the time, "thwarting the possibility of obtaining justice for all the people, like me, who survived its violence
