A colleague of Yvonne Fletcher, the police officer killed 40 years ago outside the Libyan Embassy in the UK, is launching a private prosecution against Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk, a former aide to Muammar Gaddafi.
Yvonne Fletcher was killed during a protest outside the embassy, and her colleague, John Murray, is seeking justice for her death, according to the BBC.
The private prosecution comes on the 40th anniversary of Fletcher’s tragic death, with the first court hearing expected in the coming weeks.
Fletcher, 25, was shot while managing a demonstration against Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, and Murray, who was with her during the incident, recalls her as sorely missed.
All shots were fired from within the embassy, and despite a 10-day siege, no one has been charged in connection with Fletcher’s death due to diplomatic immunity.
Murray’s promise to seek justice for Fletcher led to a rare private prosecution against Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk, who has been found “jointly liable” for the shootings but denies any wrongdoing.
This legal action follows a High Court case in 2019, where Mabrouk was found liable for the shootings and symbolic damages were awarded to Murray.
The private prosecution allows Murray to initiate legal proceedings against Mabrouk, though it remains uncertain whether the case will proceed due to legal complexities.
The Director of Public Prosecutions can intervene or halt the case at any stage, and if not, Murray will seek a court order for the suspect’s extradition to the UK.
Retired officers will gather at a memorial for Fletcher, while her family will commemorate her privately. The Metropolitan Police will also honour her memory, acknowledging her sacrifice in the line of duty.
Mabrouk, who was not present at the demonstration, was arrested in the UK in 2015 where he owned a property. However, charges could not be laid due to key evidence being withheld for national security reasons. Despite being the primary suspect, he was granted several visas to return to the UK between 1999 and 2011 amidst allegations of being a “state asset”.
Libya admitted its culpability in 1999 and agreed to pay compensation to Ms. Fletcher’s family. But Mabrouk, the only person ever arrested concerning the case, denies any involvement with the shooting.
