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Libya rebels fear for Gaddafi prisoners Libya rebels fear for Gaddafi prisoners
(40 minutes later)
Libyan rebels say they are concerned over the fate of thousands of prisoners held in Tripoli by the Gaddafi regime.Libyan rebels say they are concerned over the fate of thousands of prisoners held in Tripoli by the Gaddafi regime.
Rebel military spokesman Col Ahmed Omar Bani said almost 50,000 people arrested in recent months were unaccounted for.Rebel military spokesman Col Ahmed Omar Bani said almost 50,000 people arrested in recent months were unaccounted for.
The rebels believe they may be being held in underground bunkers, which have since been abandoned.The rebels believe they may be being held in underground bunkers, which have since been abandoned.
Rights groups have seen evidence that dozens of people have been massacred near prisons, but Col Bani did not accuse anyone of killing the prisoners.Rights groups have seen evidence that dozens of people have been massacred near prisons, but Col Bani did not accuse anyone of killing the prisoners.
"The number of people arrested over the past months is estimated at between 57,000 and 60,000," he said in a news conference in Benghazi."The number of people arrested over the past months is estimated at between 57,000 and 60,000," he said in a news conference in Benghazi.
Those still missing are many of the tens of thousands of Libyans rounded up since the start of the revolution on 17 February. They include protesters, both from Tripoli and elsewhere in the country.Those still missing are many of the tens of thousands of Libyans rounded up since the start of the revolution on 17 February. They include protesters, both from Tripoli and elsewhere in the country.
The opposition insist they have kept detailed records. So they know that 57,000-60,000 Libyans were arrested, but so far only 11,000 are accounted for.The opposition insist they have kept detailed records. So they know that 57,000-60,000 Libyans were arrested, but so far only 11,000 are accounted for.
The fear is that the rest are still trapped in secret underground prison bunkers, where they have been abandoned by their captors since the opposition overran Tripoli. It's a race against time to find and to release them.The fear is that the rest are still trapped in secret underground prison bunkers, where they have been abandoned by their captors since the opposition overran Tripoli. It's a race against time to find and to release them.
"Between 10,000 and 11,000 prisoners have been freed up until now... so where are the others?""Between 10,000 and 11,000 prisoners have been freed up until now... so where are the others?"
The colonel appealed for anyone with information to come forward, and said it would be "catastrophic" if they had been killed.The colonel appealed for anyone with information to come forward, and said it would be "catastrophic" if they had been killed.
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Benghazi says many rebels and their supporters were detained by fighters loyal to fugitive leader Col Muammar Gaddafi during the struggle for Benghazi and other cities.The BBC's Jon Leyne in Benghazi says many rebels and their supporters were detained by fighters loyal to fugitive leader Col Muammar Gaddafi during the struggle for Benghazi and other cities.
He says many other activists - and even those just suspected of supporting the revolution - were arrested in waves of security crackdowns, particularly when Col Gaddafi was trying to stop the revolution from spreading to Tripoli.He says many other activists - and even those just suspected of supporting the revolution - were arrested in waves of security crackdowns, particularly when Col Gaddafi was trying to stop the revolution from spreading to Tripoli.
Human Rights Watch has said it has evidence that pro-Gaddafi forces killed at least 17 prisoners and carried out "suspected arbitrary executions of dozens of civilians, including professionals" in the days before Tripoli fell to the rebels.Human Rights Watch has said it has evidence that pro-Gaddafi forces killed at least 17 prisoners and carried out "suspected arbitrary executions of dozens of civilians, including professionals" in the days before Tripoli fell to the rebels.
Reuters news agency claimed earlier this week to have discovered an apparent massacre site in Tripoli; and separately about 50 charred corpses were found in a warehouse south of the capital on Saturday.Reuters news agency claimed earlier this week to have discovered an apparent massacre site in Tripoli; and separately about 50 charred corpses were found in a warehouse south of the capital on Saturday.
But it was unclear who was responsible for any of the killings.But it was unclear who was responsible for any of the killings.
The rebels stormed Tripoli earlier in the week and took control of almost all of it after two days of fighting.The rebels stormed Tripoli earlier in the week and took control of almost all of it after two days of fighting.
Although sporadic gunshots could be heard in the capital on Sunday, the rebels say they are now in control and are trying to restore basic utilities such as water supply.Although sporadic gunshots could be heard in the capital on Sunday, the rebels say they are now in control and are trying to restore basic utilities such as water supply.
However, Gaddafi loyalists are continuing to fight in other parts of the country - particularly around Col Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte.However, Gaddafi loyalists are continuing to fight in other parts of the country - particularly around Col Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte.
Mohammed al-Fortiya, rebel commander in Misrata, told AFP news agency that opposition forces were within 30km (18 miles) of Sirte from the west and had captured the key town of Bin Jawad, 100km to the east.Mohammed al-Fortiya, rebel commander in Misrata, told AFP news agency that opposition forces were within 30km (18 miles) of Sirte from the west and had captured the key town of Bin Jawad, 100km to the east.
Some rebel commanders believe Gaddafi and his inner circle are likely to have fled to Sirte.Some rebel commanders believe Gaddafi and his inner circle are likely to have fled to Sirte.
But other rumours swirling around include allegations that the Gaddafis are hiding in Tripoli; that some of them fled to Algiers; or that some have already taken refuge in Europe.But other rumours swirling around include allegations that the Gaddafis are hiding in Tripoli; that some of them fled to Algiers; or that some have already taken refuge in Europe.
Over the weekend, a spokesman for the Gaddafi regime offered to open talks with the rebel government, the National Transitional Council.Over the weekend, a spokesman for the Gaddafi regime offered to open talks with the rebel government, the National Transitional Council.
But the NTC rejected the offer, describing the colonel as a criminal who should be put on trial.But the NTC rejected the offer, describing the colonel as a criminal who should be put on trial.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague described the offer of talks as "delusional".UK Foreign Secretary William Hague described the offer of talks as "delusional".
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