Just how many politically motivated killings have there been in Libya since the fall of the Qadhafi regime and the end to the 2011 Libyan uprisings?According to new research by Human Rights Watch, there have been at least 51 assassinations of police and military officers, lawyers, judges, and activists in Benghazi and Derna alone. Research into these killings on the rise has not determined a comprehensive pattern for motive, nor has it identified the groups or persons responsible.According to Human Rights Watch,
The July 26, 2013, killing of Abdulasalam Elmessmary, was the first of a political activist since Muammar Gaddafi was ousted. The assassination appeared to signal a new turn in the violence with potentially serious implications for Libya’s stability. The other victims include two judges and at least 44 serving members of the security forces, most of whom had held positions in Gaddafi’s government. At least six were high-ranking officers under Gaddafi.
Twelve of the victims were killed by explosive devices while the rest where shot in front of or near their homes, workplaces, or cars.