Suspects in 2013 killing of us teacher held by libyan officials
According to reports, Libyan officials have detained several suspects in connection with the 2013 killing of American teacher Luke Somers, who was kidnapped and murdered by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants.
In November 2013, Somers, a 33-year-old English teacher, was kidnapped from a bus in Sana'a, Yemen, where he was working at the International School of Sana'a. AQAP claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and later released a video showing Somers, who was beheaded in a gruesome execution.
In 2015, Libyan authorities arrested several suspects believed to be involved in Somers' kidnapping and murder. The suspects were reportedly members of AQAP and had fled to Libya after the group was pushed out of Yemen by a Saudi-led coalition.
In 2019, Libyan officials announced that they had detained several more suspects in connection with Somers' killing, including a senior AQAP leader who was believed to have played a key role in the kidnapping and murder.
The detained suspects include:
- Ibrahim al-Rubaish, a senior AQAP leader who was believed to have been involved in the planning and execution of Somers' kidnapping and murder.
- Abdul-Rahman al-Qadhi, a Libyan national who was accused of being a key facilitator of AQAP's activities in Libya.
- Khalid al-Shammari, a Yemeni national who was believed to have been involved in the kidnapping and murder of Somers.
- Several other Libyan nationals who were accused of providing logistical support to AQAP and facilitating the group's activities in the country.
It is worth noting that the investigation into Somers' killing is ongoing, and Libyan officials have not yet announced any formal charges or convictions in connection with the case.