Police interview Libyans over claims of UK-authorised rendition

Source: Gaurdian

Two Libyan opponents of Muammar Gaddafi who claim they were the victims of rendition and torture because of the actions of a British minister and an MI6 officer have been interviewed for the first time by Scotland Yard detectives.

Sami al-Saadi and Abdel Hakim Belhaj were forcibly flown back to Libya in 2004 with their young families in what they allege was a security service operation authorised by the then foreign secretary, Jack Straw. This weekend, they met British police officers in Tunisia for several hours accompanied by their representatives.

Speaking for the first time since the interview, Saadi said it was a cause for optimism for him and his family. "After years being abused by Gaddafi's secret police, it took me time to believe that other police would really take a close look at my torture. I was very glad to see that Scotland Yard were serious about this investigation," he said.

British police launched an inquiry in January after documents discovered during the Libyan revolution suggested that Sir Mark Allen, the former head of counter-terrorism at MI6, and other security service agents had conspired in the rendition.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/20/police-interview-libyans-rendition-uk