Daif Abdul-kareem Al-Ghazal
Encyclopedia
Daif Abdul-kareem Al-Ghazal (1976-2005) was a prominent Libyan
journalist
and writer who was murdered in Libya in May 2005.
in 1976. His father is a descendant of the Al-Shahibat tribe, a prominent Eastern Libyan tribe, and his mother is from the Al-Hawara tribe which is equally well known. He studied at Garyounis University
, where he received a History degree from the Literature
department.
In the 1980s Daif Al-Ghazal joined the pro-government Movement of Revolutionary Committees (MRC). The MRC was set up by the regime to propagate the ideologies of Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi
, as expressed in The Green Book. In the early 1990s Al-Ghazal joined the new Benghazi Mathaba. He advanced within the MRC hierarchy, and was appointed to the coveted post of Media and Culture Coordinator. He continued working as a journalist and was named chief editor
of the Benghazis office of Al-Zahf Al-Akhdar ("The Green March" in Arabic).
at the Green Book Research Center. His criticisms lead the Libyan government to fight him viciously, especially members of the MRC of Al-Berka in Benghazi. On February 27, 2005, Al-Ghazal told the online newspaper Libya al-Yaum that he was the victim of oppression and undue process because of his articles, criticism and reports. Following this announcement, Al-Ghazal was summoned to the office of communication where he was interrogated. Despite numerous threats, Al-Ghazal continued writing articles in 2004 and 2005, exposing these threats in Internet newspapers published outside Libya.
The autopsy
report, obtained by Human Rights Solidarity, referred to many signs of torture. Most of his fingers had been severed, and the body had multiple bruises and stab wounds. Al-Ghazal was killed from a bullet wound to the head.
The Libyan government remained quiet for fifteen days, from the time of his abduction, to the discovery of his body and subsequent burial. Libyan Justice Minister
Ali Hasnaoui then officially announced that Al-Ghazal was found murdered, and further added that he was actually of Egyptian
descent; this was abhorred by Al-Ghazal's family. Questions remain despite promises made by Justice Minister Hasnaoui to reveal the circumstances surrounding the murder, and the adoption of the case by Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, head of the Gaddafi Institute for Development.
Libyan
A Libyan is a person or thing of, from, or related to Libya in North Africa.The term Libyan may also refer to:* A person from Libya, or of Libyan descent. For information about the Libyan people, see Demographics of Libya and Culture of Libya. For specific persons, see List of Libyans.* Libyan...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and writer who was murdered in Libya in May 2005.
Early life
Daif Al-Ghazal was born in BenghaziBenghazi
Benghazi is the second largest city in Libya, the main city of the Cyrenaica region , and the former provisional capital of the National Transitional Council. The wider metropolitan area is also a district of Libya...
in 1976. His father is a descendant of the Al-Shahibat tribe, a prominent Eastern Libyan tribe, and his mother is from the Al-Hawara tribe which is equally well known. He studied at Garyounis University
Garyounis University
University of Benghazi , formerly known as the Garyounis University, is a public university in Benghazi, Libya.- History :It is the oldest and first Libyan university. It was founded on 15 December 1955 as The Libyan University...
, where he received a History degree from the Literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
department.
In the 1980s Daif Al-Ghazal joined the pro-government Movement of Revolutionary Committees (MRC). The MRC was set up by the regime to propagate the ideologies of Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi
Muammar al-Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi or "September 1942" 20 October 2011), commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi, was the official ruler of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the "Brother Leader" of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.He seized power in a...
, as expressed in The Green Book. In the early 1990s Al-Ghazal joined the new Benghazi Mathaba. He advanced within the MRC hierarchy, and was appointed to the coveted post of Media and Culture Coordinator. He continued working as a journalist and was named chief editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
of the Benghazis office of Al-Zahf Al-Akhdar ("The Green March" in Arabic).
Opposition to the Libyan Government
Differences between Al-Ghazal and the MRC began appearing in 2003. These differences were clearly articulated in his columns published in the newspaper, Al-Zahf Al-Akhdar. In 2004, he delivered a lecture on government corruptionPolitical corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
at the Green Book Research Center. His criticisms lead the Libyan government to fight him viciously, especially members of the MRC of Al-Berka in Benghazi. On February 27, 2005, Al-Ghazal told the online newspaper Libya al-Yaum that he was the victim of oppression and undue process because of his articles, criticism and reports. Following this announcement, Al-Ghazal was summoned to the office of communication where he was interrogated. Despite numerous threats, Al-Ghazal continued writing articles in 2004 and 2005, exposing these threats in Internet newspapers published outside Libya.
Murder
On May 21, 2005 Daif Al-Ghazal was abducted by two armed individuals who announced that they were from internal security as he returned from visiting a friend and was accompanied another journalist named Mohamed Al-Marghani. This was near a farm located in the Huary region. On May 30, 2005, the Garyounis police informed Al-Ghazal's family that an unknown body beginning to decompose was found, which they requested them to identify. Daif Al-Ghazal was buried on June 3, 2005.The autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
report, obtained by Human Rights Solidarity, referred to many signs of torture. Most of his fingers had been severed, and the body had multiple bruises and stab wounds. Al-Ghazal was killed from a bullet wound to the head.
The Libyan government remained quiet for fifteen days, from the time of his abduction, to the discovery of his body and subsequent burial. Libyan Justice Minister
Justice Minister
A justice ministry is a ministry or other government agency charged with justice. The ministry is often headed by a minister for justice or secretary of justice or secretary for justice; sometimes the head of a department of justice is entitled attorney general.Specific duties may relate to...
Ali Hasnaoui then officially announced that Al-Ghazal was found murdered, and further added that he was actually of Egyptian
Egyptians
Egyptians are nation an ethnic group made up of Mediterranean North Africans, the indigenous people of Egypt.Egyptian identity is closely tied to geography. The population of Egypt is concentrated in the lower Nile Valley, the small strip of cultivable land stretching from the First Cataract to...
descent; this was abhorred by Al-Ghazal's family. Questions remain despite promises made by Justice Minister Hasnaoui to reveal the circumstances surrounding the murder, and the adoption of the case by Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, head of the Gaddafi Institute for Development.