Libyans training in UK sent home after sex charges

MORE than 300 members of the Libyan armed forces training in the UK have been sent home early after five soldiers appeared in court accused of sex offences.

A general view of Bassingbourne Barracks in Cambridgeshire. Picture: PA

Members of the country’s armed forces have been based at Bassingbourn Barracks in Cambridgeshire since July as part of the UK’s pledge to support the Libyan government.

The group had been due to return to their homeland at the end of the month but their stay has been cut short after a series of alleged attacks.

Scottish soldiers were drafted in to deal with the troops last week. Troops from 2 Scots, the Royal Highland Fusiliers, had leave cancelled so they could back up police struggling to control trainees. Soldiers from 
3 Scots, the Black Watch, had been training some 2,000 Libyan troops at Bassingbourn, providing them with basic infantry skills and leadership training. A “handful” had since claimed asylum, it was reported last night.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said: “The majority of recruits have responded positively to the training despite the ongoing political uncertainty in Libya but there have been disciplinary issues.

“Training was initially expected to last until the end of November but we have agreed with the Libyan government that it is best for all involved to bring forward the training completion date. The recruits will be returning to Libya in the coming days.”

A spokesman added that the MoD would review how best to train Libyan security forces – including whether further recruits should be trained in the UK.

Libyan cadets Ibrahim Naji El Maarfi, 20 and Mohammed Abdalsalam, 27, appeared at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court last week and admitted two counts of sexual assault. They are awaiting sentencing.

Khaled El Azibi, 18, has been charged with three counts of sexual assault linked to the same incident but has yet to enter a plea.

On Monday night, Moktar Ali Saad Mahmoud, 33, and Ibrahim Abogutila, 22, were charged with rape.

They appeared before the city’s magistrates yesterday morning when there case was adjourned for them to appear at Cambridge Crown Court next Tuesday. The decision came after South Cambridgeshire MP Andrew Lansley wrote to the MoD to raise concerns.
Mr Lansley said: “I was supportive of this as a good use of the base, and to contribute further to Libya’s development.

“So it is with regret that I must now say that it has not worked as we had hoped. It is clear that the stipulation that there was to be no unauthorised exit from the base has not been adhered to, and the consequences have been unacceptable.”

He saw no alternative but to terminate the contract, repatriate trainees and for no further groups to brought here from Libya. Shadow defence minister Ian Lucas said: “The training of Libyan soldiers was central to the UK government’s long-term security strategy for the region.

“Having been significantly delayed in the first instance, the UK-based training programme has now collapsed in disarray and scandal, and there are no plans to continue it elsewhere.”