Iman-al-Obeidi has been declared a hero by many after bursting into a hotel filled with foreign media in Tripoli, declaring that she'd been raped and tortured by men connected with Gadaffi's regime.
Her bravery spoke volumes to many of us as she insisted that these men had detained her at a checkpoint because her identification showed she was from the rebel stronghold of Benghazi. Sporting bruises and bloodied thighs to support her claims she screamed for the attention of the world's media before being manhandled and taken away.
Grave concerns have been held for her safety since.
But, this morning, it seems that five arrests have been made in relation to her claims; a Libyan spokesman saying that her claims were being taken very seriously. She has, according to him, been given access to a lawyer, is in good health, is currently with her family and may speak to the media in the coming days.
I only hope this is all true. Does it not all seem a little convenient? And what of other women that Iman al-Obeidi claims are being held and tortured too? Or do they not count because the world hasn't seen their faces?
If one person can really make change, let's hope, for her sake, that it's this brave woman.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Iman-al-Obeidi-Rape-and-Torture-Allegations-Arrests-Made-After-Woman-Burst-Into-Tripoli-Hotel/Article/201103415960967
I really hope the arrests made are real. No one should have to suffer like that.
ReplyDeleteAmy