Jack Straw sued by Libyan commander for illegal rendition and torture
Jack Straw sued by Libyan commander for illegal rendition and torture
18th Apr 2012 9:34am | By Laura Chubb
A Libyan military commander is suing former foreign secretary Jack Straw, after evidence allegedly emerged to show that Straw had been at least partly responsible for his rendition and torture.
Abdel Hakim Belhadj, 45, is acting on allegations that Straw signed off papers approving his rendition.
Law firm Leigh Day & Co is representing Belhadj. Sapna Malik, a partner at the firm, said: "The civil action is against Mr Straw personally and seeks his response to allegations that he was complicit in torture and misfeasance in public office."
Belhadj was the leader of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), an organisation working in opposition to the Gaddafi regime. He claims that in 2004, CIA agents took him against his will from Thailand to Libya, via UK-controlled island Diego Garcia in the central Indian Ocean.
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http://www.tntmagazine.com/news/uk/jack-straw-sued-by-libyan-commander-for-part-in-rendition-and-torture