Ansar Al-Sharia denies any link with Benghazi assassinations

Tripoli, 20 December:

An official with the Ansar of Sharia battalion, Nasser Torshani, has denied any connection between it and names claimed to be linked with the planting of bombs and assassinations in Benghazi.

According to Solidarity Press, he confirmed that none of the alleged suspects in the cases were members of the battalion. He added that there was a “vicious” campaign in Benghazi to involve Muslim youth in a battle against the state.

Torshani also accused unnamed individuals in the Qaddafi regime’s internal security directorate of illegal acitivities, saying that some are currently working in the criminal investigations department.

He was quoted by the agency saying that the Minister of the Interior, Ashour Shuwail, had stated at a meeting of the Islamic Alliance that some 60 percent of the police force were involved in illegal acitivites and would be removed.

The meeting was held prior to him taking office, while he was awaiting the court’s decision on his disbarment by the Integrity Commission.