The wife of former Defense Minister Mehdi al-Barghathi confirmed that her husband returned to Benghazi under pressure from the elders of his tribe and relatives, which lasted for a whole year, despite his rejection of the idea from the outset due to his lack of trust in the tribal elders and Haftar’s forces that control the eastern region.
Al-Barghathi’s wife added in a statement to Libya Alahrar that some of the tribe’s elders continued to visit Mehdi to persuade him to return and described the situation in Benghazi as “humiliating” under the control of Haftar and his sons.
Al-Barghathi’s wife confirmed that he stipulated to the elders that he would not abandon his military status and should not be forced to go to Al-Rajma, where Haftar’s military headquarters is located, indicating that he did not come with the intention of fighting and that he received a warm welcome upon his return home.
Al-Barghathi’s wife also pointed out that after the reception was over, in the early hours of the next day, there was a raid with heavy weapons and armored vehicles by Battalion 166, and Battalion Tariq bin Ziyad which are loyal to Saddam Haftar. She confirmed hearing orders to burn everything in front of them and demolish houses, and the clashes continued for hours.
She added that those who entered their house were not wearing military uniforms and were firing without stopping. They held women and children hostage for days without food or water, confirming that her husband surrendered himself on the first day unharmed.
Al-Barghathi’s wife also pointed out that the tribal elder Sheikh Abdul Salam Abdul Ati was arrested and detained for four days after receiving her husband by welcoming him back. She condemned his disavowal of him after he was released.
Al-Barghathi’s wife also mentioned that one of the intruders ordered women to ride in a military vehicle, and when they refused, they were threatened with imprisonment in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Interior in the HoR designated government, without the latter responding to threats.
Al-Barghathi’s wife also confirmed that Haftar ordered him to be brought alive to his place of residence in Al-Rajma, and he was sent as ordered without any injury. She expressed her surprise at the announcement by Haftar’s military prosecutor that he had suffered a serious injury.
She said they were robbed of gold and furniture, their house was vandalized, women were humiliated with weapons, and they were forced not to leave or move. She pointed out that the first clash in front of the house resulted in the killing of a child after a direct shooting.
