By Ashraf Abdul-Wahab.
Tripoli, 20 September 2013:
Residents in Beida yesterday morning again took to the streets demanding the prosecution of officials who, . . .[restrict]they say, have been illegally issuing identity numbers and other documents effectively granting citizenship to non-Libyans.
The campaign in Beida started a month ago, following allegations by officials that thousands of Egyptians, Chadians and other Africans had been issued with fake document by the civil registry officials. On 18 August, local civil society institutions together with the Revolutionaries’ Union and the Beida Council of Elders organised a protest at the prosecutor’s office in response to the allegations, demanding the Minister of Justice, the Ministry of Interior and the Attorney-General investigate the matter and bring those responsible to justice.
Stating that the authorities had to fight administrative corruption inherited from the Qaddafi regime, they insisted that anyone in possession of fake documents should be arrested and tried, as should those involved in forgery or turning a blind eye to it.
Demonstrating yesterday outside Beida’s court, the protestors claimed that nothing has happened in the intervening month. [/restrict]
