14 Political Prisoners Released In Libya, page 1

Libya has just released fourteen political prisoners. Eight of them were a group of football supporters who were jailed in 2000 for chanting political slogans critical of Muammar Gaddafi after their team lost a match. Three of the supporters were originally sentenced to death. Now as a nice gesture, Gaddafi "opened the door" and released them...

IOL: Libya release 14 political prisoners

January 25 2006

Eight of released detainees were supporters of the Libyan city of Benghazi's Al-Ahly football club who were arrested in 2000 over their involvement in riots that broke out after their team lost a game.

As well as smashing cars and ransacking shops, some of the disgruntled supporters chanted political slogans critical of the regime of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, resulting in 17 arrests.

Three of them were sentenced to death but their sentences were commuted and others were later released

"Something is changing in Libya... Libya was closed for three decades and the door is beginning to open"

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

I guess they should be happy to be alive...

Related Links and Resources:
Country Profile: Libya (BBC)
Listen to the Libyan National Anthem (BBC)
WikiPedia: Political prisoner

[edit on 2006/4/27 by Hellmutt]