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More than 1000 inmates escape from Libyan jail | More than 1000 inmates escape from Libyan jail |
(35 minutes later) | |
About 1,200 inmates have escaped from a jail in the restive Libyan city of Benghazi. | About 1,200 inmates have escaped from a jail in the restive Libyan city of Benghazi. |
A security official told the AP news agency that most of the escapees were facing serious charges. | A security official told the AP news agency that most of the escapees were facing serious charges. |
Another report said a riot had taken place inside the al-Kwafiya prison. | Another report said a riot had taken place inside the al-Kwafiya prison. |
The jailbreak comes a day after the assassination of a prominent political activist triggered protests in the city, although it is not clear whether the two are connected. | The jailbreak comes a day after the assassination of a prominent political activist triggered protests in the city, although it is not clear whether the two are connected. |
Benghazi is one of the most unstable parts of post-revolution Libya. Last year the US ambassador and three other Americans were killed there. | Benghazi is one of the most unstable parts of post-revolution Libya. Last year the US ambassador and three other Americans were killed there. |
On Saturday protesters attacked offices linked to the Muslim Brotherhood following the assassination of the prominent political activist Abdelsalam al-Mismari. Hundreds of mourners attended his funeral. | |
'Reinforcements' | 'Reinforcements' |
A security spokesman in Benghazi told the BBC that some of those who escaped from the prison had been captured but he did not specify how many. | |
In a news conference, the Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan said residents in the southern area of the city had stormed the prison in protest at its existence in their district. | |
The inmates include a small number of people thought to be supporters of Col Muammar Gaddafi, the BBC's Rana Jawad reports. The former leader was toppled and killed in an uprising in 2011. | |
The Gaddafi supporters had been charged with attacking security bases after the conflict, our correspondent says. | |
AFP news agency quoted a security official saying that there had been unrest inside the prison before the breakout. | |
"There was a riot inside al-Kwafiya prison, as well as an attack from outside," he said. | |
"Special forces called in as reinforcements were given orders not to fire at the prisoners." | "Special forces called in as reinforcements were given orders not to fire at the prisoners." |