UK: Squatters Seize Gaddafi Residence

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Squatters occupying a house owned by Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the second son of the Libyan leader, said Thursday the 10 million pounds property “belongs to the Libyan people”.

A group calling themselves “Topple the Tyrants” entered the home in Hampstead Garden Suburb in north London yesterday.

They have vowed to remain in place until the property’s assets are returned to the Libyan people.

The group said the house was managed by the Gaddafi family through a holding company registered in the British Virgin Islands.

About 10 of the squatters took to the roof to unfurl Libyan flags and banners in front of the media.

One of the squatters told the media that they would be “better neighbours” than Gaddafi. Belkasem Alghiryani, 34, from Manchester, northern England, said “We have taken over the house to make sure this house goes back to the Libyan people.

“This house belongs to the Libyan people and we have the right to go in. This is our money.” He added “We are not going to leave until we have a 100% guarantee that this house is going back to the Libyan people.”

Alghiryani refused to say how the group got in to the home or how many of them were inside.

When asked if he was concerned about the reaction from local residents, he replied: “We are going to be better neighbours than Saif himself.”

A Scotland Yard spokesman said “Police were called to an address in Hampstead Garden Suburb to reports of unknown people entering the premises.

“At this time it is being treated as a civil matter. There have been no arrests.”

Col Gaddafi and his family have been stripped of diplomatic immunity – preventing them from entering the UK – and banks and other bodies have been told by the Treasury to prevent them using UK-held funds and assets.

No immediate figure was put on the total value of the assets, including cash, shares, bonds and property, but some reports put it as high as 20 billion pounds.

An export ban has also been placed on a “significant” consignment of Libyan banknotes – with a face value of around 900 million pounds- amid fears it would be used to fund violence against protesters, officials said.

KUNA

KUNA is the Kuwait News Agency

One thought on “UK: Squatters Seize Gaddafi Residence

  • March 11, 2011 at 1:21 am
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    I will not encroach upon or occupy land that isn’t mine however illgotten the manner by which it was obtained.I don’t claim what I don’t own.The occupying of premises owned by Gaddafi’s son by persons who claim to be Libyans in London demonstrates a level of lawlessness and speaks a lot of the Arab culture of insurrections and userpation of authority.
    The rebels in Libya are failing and fleeing and have misled young minds to arm themselves and face death and destruction.The rebel leaders are wicked and traitors.

    Reply

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