Libyan woman at centre of rape claim escapes

TRIPOLI – Iman al-Obeidi, the Libyan woman who claimed she was raped by Muammar Gadafy’s soldiers, has reportedly fled to Tunisia…

TRIPOLI – Iman al-Obeidi, the Libyan woman who claimed she was raped by Muammar Gadafy’s soldiers, has reportedly fled to Tunisia with the help of a defecting military officer.

Ms Obeidi, who drew worldwide attention when she burst into a Tripoli hotel to describe to foreign journalists her alleged ordeal at the hands of 15 men, has been given refuge in Tunis by western officials.

Ms Obeidi told CNN she had entered Tunisia with a refugee document and was considering her next move.

She claimed her court case against the soldiers – who she said had seized her at a checkpoint near Tripoli – had barely progressed.

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After passing checkpoints disguised in a veil that hid her face, except one eye, Ms Obeidi passed the Dehebi crossing on Thursday without trouble. – (Guardian service)