Police in Libya confirmed on Thursday that political activist Salwa Bugaighis had been murdered after casting her vote in the country’s parliamentary elections. Bugaighis, an active pro-democracy and anti-extremist activist, was widely known in her hometown of Benghazi as a prominent figure in the 2011 overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi. No groups have stepped forward to claim responsibility for the assassination, but this is not the first time a progressive activist or politician was murdered in the region.
The Associated Press reported that Bugaighis received a shot to the head as well as multiple stab wounds shortly after she returned home. She was rushed to the hospital, but doctors were unable to save her. Bugaighis’s husband, who is currently a member of the Benghazi municipal council, was also home at the time of the invasion. Since the attack, authorities have been unable to locate Mr. Bugaighis, and it is believed that he has been kidnapped.
Earlier that day, Bugaighis spoke via phone on a Libyan TV program condemning the violence near her neighborhood sparked by Islamist radicals. She told Al-Nabaa network, as reported by The Associated Press, “These are people who want to foil elections. Benghazi has been always defiant and always will be despite the pain and fear. It will succeed.” Bugaighis also posted a photo to her Facebook page of what seemed to be militants garbed in black just outside her home.
The political activist’s home is located in a dangerous area of the city, because the Rafallah Sahati and Ansar al-Shariah Islamic militias are fighting over the region. Ansar al-Shariah is believed to be the militia behind the attack on a U.S. diplomatic building in September 11, 2012. The attack killed three U.S. employees as well as an ambassador.
At one point, Bugaighis and her family were forced to flee to Jordan after receiving multiple death threats. Her son, Wael, had been targeted in a kidnapping attempt earlier this year. Bugaighis and her husband returned to Libya in order to cast their ballots in the most recent election, but their children remained behind.
Amnesty International has already begun pressing for an intensive investigation. Both the European Union and United Nations have expressed their distraught and condemnation over the attack. The word “courage” has popped up over and over again as organizations and individuals alike reflected on Bugaighis’s legacy.
Photo: AP Photo/National Dialogue Preparatory Commission
