On Wednesday, the family of extradited Libyan national, Abu Ajeila Masoud, a former intelligence officer, raised concern over his deteriorating health condition. They noted that he was recently hospitalized due to multiple chronic illnesses.
Abdel Moneim Al-Marimi, a nephew of Abu Ajeila, added that his uncle is set to appear before a US court in October. Yet, he expressed grave concern over the lack of a defence team.
He explained that they are “unable to afford the fees of the legal team. We hired a new lawyer, at our own expense, other than the one assigned to follow up the case, to obtain information about the next session.”
Al-Marimi stated, “The US authorities have transferred Abu Ajeila to a hospital. Regrettably, no family member has been able to make the trip to the US to be by his side.”
Masoud, 71, will appear before US courts without an attorney, his family confirms. They noted that all parties that vowed to pay his legal fees have abandoned their pledges and promises.
Abdel Moneim also voiced his concern over the US government’s appointment of a public lawyer, given the serious nature of the charges levied against him.
Masoud’s family recently issued a statement denouncing the silence of the Government of National Unity (GNU), for “not cooperating in knowing the fate of the Libyan citizen, as he is suffering from a chronic disease.”
The family said that the Libyan authorities did not assign a lawyer to defend Masoud or help them communicate with him. The Libyan Embassy in the US also did not show any support or intervene to help Masoud, the family says.
They appealed to the public to support him. “Masoud is a victim of political deals,” the family concluded.
Masoud has pleaded not guilty before the Federal Court in Washington. 270 people were killed in one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in US history, according to Washington Post.
“At this time your honor we would enter a plea of not guilty,” said Whitney Minter, a US federal public defender, according to the Washington Post.
Masoud entered his plea in federal court in Washington. This follows his extradition in December by one of Libya’s rival factional governments.
He possibly faces two counts, including the destruction of an aircraft resulting in death, punishable upon conviction by up to life in prison.
The US Justice Department has alleged that Masoud confessed his crimes to a Libyan law enforcement official, in September 2012.
In February, Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the US and Libyan authorities to clarify the legal basis for the “abusive arrest” and subsequent extradition of Masoud.
“It appears that no Libyan court ordered or reviewed Masoud’s transfer to the US, and he had no chance to appeal, raising serious due process concerns,” said Hanan Salah, associate Middle East and North Africa Director at HRW.
The Tripoli-based Prime Minister, Abdelhamid Dbaiba, said the GNU collaborated with the US on the extradition. However, judicial authorities have challenged the handover’s legality and opened an investigation.