Libya: Arrests Made in Rape Case

Sky News reports:

The son of a high-ranking Libyan police officer is thought to be among five people arrested after a woman claimed she was raped and tortured by men connected to Colonel Gaddafi's regime.

In a conversation with Sky News, Libya's deputy foreign minister Khalid Kaim said the men were being detained as part of a criminal investigation into the rape allegations.

Iman al Obeidi was manhandled by waitresses and government minders on Saturday morning as she attempted to speak to journalists at the Rixos Hotel in Tripoli.

She claimed she had been held for two days, and had been raped and tortured by men connected to the regime.

Ms al Obeidi, who is reportedly a law graduate, showed marks on her legs and on her wrists, which she suggested came from handcuffs.

As journalists tried to speak to her, police minders waded in, trying to physically block her mouth to stop her talking.

In addition to saying arrests had been made, Mr Kaim also suggested the alleged sexual assault took place when Ms al Obeidi went to a pre-arranged meeting with at least one of the men.