Libyan rights activist killed in Benghazi

Libyan human rights activist and lawyer Salwa Bugaighis, who played an active part in country’s 2011 uprising, was shot dead by unknown assailants in the eastern city of Benghazi late Wednesday.

“Unknown hooded men wearing military uniforms attacked Mrs Bugaighis in her home and opened fire on her,” a security official, who did not wish to be named, told AFP.

She was shot several times and taken to hospital in critical condition, where she died shortly afterwards, a spokesman for the Benghazi medical center said.

A family member said Bugaighis’ husband, who was in the family home at the time of the attack, has since been reported as missing.

“We've lost touch with him,” the relative said, adding that a security guard at the house had been shot and injured, but his life was not in danger.

Bugaighis, a lawyer, played an active part in Libya's 2011 revolution, which overthrew the regime of Muammar Qaddafi.

A former member of the National Transitional Council, the rebellion's political wing, she was vice president of a preparatory committee for national dialogue in Libya.

The U.S. ambassador to Libya, Deborah Jones called the news “heartbreaking,” and on her Twitter account denounced “a cowardly, despicable, shameful act against a courageous woman and true Libyan patriot.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Bugaighis had participated in Libya's general election. She published photos of herself at a polling station on her Facebook page.

(with AFP)

Salwa Bugaighis, a lawyer, played an active part in Libya's 2011 revolution. (Photo courtesy: vitalvoices.org)