Reply #2: Libyan state television has accused the Netherlands of spying

[maddezmom]

Libyan state television has accused the Netherlands of spying, following the capture on Sunday of a Dutch navy helicopter and its three-strong crew by government militias.

The aim of the helicopter mission was to drop or pick up spies on Libyan soil, according to Libyan TV, which spoke of an international conspiracy against the strife-torn country.

The accusation affects current efforts to free the crew, legal expert Geert-Jan Knoops told Dutch media on Friday. He underlined that, under international law, spies have a different status than prisoners of war. “The Dutch foreign ministry now needs to move fast to try to obtain their release.”

Professor Knoops added that Dutch Embassy staff are still in Libya and can provide legal support on the ground. The Dutch defence authorities say they’ve received no official word from Libya on spying charges brought against the crew.

more:http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/libya-accuses-netherlands-spying