Libya must let Seif al-Islam have lawyer: HRW

Libya must let Seif al-Islam have lawyer: HRW
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Summary Human Rights Watch called on Libyan authorities to grant Seif al-Islam immediate access to a lawyer.

Human Rights Watch called on the Libyan authorities to grant Seif al-Islam, son of slain leader Moamer Gaddafi, immediate access to a lawyer, noting he appeared to be held in good conditions.Libyan authorities appear to be holding Seif al-Islam Gaddafi in good physical conditions but should allow him immediate access to a lawyer, the New York-based watchdog said in a statement.The rights group said it had visited Seif al-Islam on December 18 in Zintan, 180 kilometres (112 miles) southwest of Tripoli, after obtaining permission from general prosecutor Abdelaziz al-Hasadi, who is investigating the case.Seif al-Islam says he is getting good food and medical care -- he had no complaints about the physical conditions of his detention, said HRW special adviser Fred Abrahams, who saw him in private for 30 minutes.His main concern was the lack of access to family and to a lawyer who can help his case, he said, urging the government to grant him legal access, a right mandated by Libyas penal code.The prosecutor general is investigating alleged corruption-related crimes committed by Seif al-Islam before this years conflict began, as well as crimes committed during the 2011 conflict, the rights group said.
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