N313P aircraft reported to have been used by the CIA to render Belhadj to Libya. Photograph by Konstantin von Wedelstaedt
Abdel Hakim Belhadj, a Libyan national who has been suing the British government over their alleged involvement in his rendition to Libya and subsequent mistreatment, has offered to settle the case in return for an apology, an admission of liability, and a token payment of £1 from then Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and ex-senior MI6 official Sir Mark Allen.
Belhadj was formerly a member of an Islamist insurgent group which attempted but failed to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi in the 1990s. He was also a key leader in the 2011 toppling of the Libyan dictator, for which he worked alongside NATO, and had much Western support.
Belahdj claims that he and his wife were detained by CIA officers at Bangkok Airport in March 2004, where he was tortured whilst his pregnant wife was chained to a wall in a prison for several days. He then believes he was illegally rendered to Libya via a flight that refuelled on the British overseas territory of Diego Garcia. He claims that British intelligence were responsible for supplying information to the US that resulted in his capture. In Tripoli, Belahdj claims he was tortured in the notorious Abu Saleem prison for more than four years
Writing to Prime Minister David Cameron and those he is suing, Belhadj has said that he wants to counter the misconception that he is pursuing the case to enrich himself, saying:
“I am making an open offer to settle our litigation. My wife and I are willing to end our case against the UK government and Messrs Straw and Allen in exchange for a token compensation of a British pound from each defendant, an apology and an admission of liability for what was done to us.”
A government spokesperson has confirmed receipt of the letter, but with a police investigation under way they are unable to comment further.
