Government: Libyan woman who alleged rape to journalists released

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) — A Libyan woman who stormed into a Tripoli hotel Saturday, telling foreign reporters that she had been raped by government troops, has been released, and her case is being investigated, government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said Sunday.

The matter is “a criminal case against four individuals” who have an attorney, he said. Among those accused by Eman al-Obeidy is a the son of a high-ranking official, he said. The general attorney is looking into the case.

The woman “hasn’t committed, you know, any particular major offense,” Ibrahim said. “She just entered a place she wasn’t supposed to enter.”

He said al-Obeidy and her family have been asked if they want to be interviewed by “one or two, preferably female, reporters to verify that she’s fine, she’s healthy, she’s free with her family.”

But Ibrahim refused to take further questions on the issue Sunday, noting that Libyan society is “very conservative” and citing a need to protect al-Obeidy, her daughter and her family’s privacy. “I don’t want to make it even more public,” he said.

Al-Obeidy burst into the hotel as international journalists were having breakfast. Her face was bruised, as were her legs. She showed the journalists blood on her right inner thigh.

Speaking in English, she said she was from the rebel stronghold of Benghazi and had been held against her will for two days and raped by 15 men.

“Look at what Gadhafi’s brigades did to me,” she said. “My honor was violated by them.” She displayed what appeared to be visible rope burns on her wrists and ankles.

CNN could not independently verify al-Obeidy’s story, but her injuries appeared consistent with what she said.

International journalists, including CNN’s staff, are not allowed to move freely in the Libyan capital and are escorted out of the hotel only on organized outings by government minders. This was the first time a Libyan opposed to Gadhafi attempted to independently approach the journalists in Tripoli.

Government officials moved to stifle her, but she persisted. Security forces moved to subdue her, and even a member of the hotel’s kitchen staff drew a knife. “Traitor!” he shouted at her. Another staffer attempted to throw a dark tablecloth over her head.

One government official, who was there to facilitate access for journalists, pulled a pistol from his belt. Others scuffled with the journalists and wrestled them to the ground in an attempt to take away their equipment. Some journalists were beaten and kicked. CNN’s camera was confiscated and deliberately smashed beyond repair.

Security men said al-Obeidy was “mentally ill” and was being taken to a “hospital” as they dragged her to a waiting white car. She insisted she was being taken to jail, saying, “If you don’t see me tomorrow, then that’s it.”

Officials later said the woman was sane and would bring criminal charges against her attackers.

CNN’s Nic Robertson and Khalil Abdallah contributed to this report