The next day three women dressed in military uniform arrived telling her parents she was needed to present more flowers. They testified that Gaddafi and some other members of the leaders power circle raped them. Copyright IBTimes 2023. Many women stated that they were either blackmailed to join the unit or were asked sexual favours in order to be selected.

WebAyesha Gaddafi (Arabic: , born December 25, 1977), also known as Aisha Gaddafi, is a Libyan former mediator and military official, former UN Goodwill Ambassador, and lawyer by profession. All rights reserved. See More, Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News.

Opera News furthermore does not condone the use of our platform for the purposes encouraging/endorsing hate speech, violation of human rights and/or utterances of a defamatory nature. Any/all written content and images displayed are provided by the blogger/author, appear herein as submitted by the blogger/author and are unedited by Opera News. Italy, which ruled Libya from 1911 to 1943, has had difficult relations with Gaddafi since he seized power in 1969 but ties have warmed in recent years. They are raped, sometimes by Gaddafi himself and other times by members in his power circle. The women would be first raped by the dictator and then passed on, like used objects, to one of his sons and eventually to high-ranking officials for more abuse before eventually being let go.. The strongman asked his female bodyguards not only for their protection but also for oaths of virginity, and that they be dressed in camouflage, nail polish, coiffed hair, and heavy mascara. "I was never chosen.". WebEmbattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has enlisted the help of his glamorous only daughter in his fight to retain power in the war-ravaged country.Aisha Gaddafi, a 34-year-old lawyer who has represented Saddam Hussein and the IRA, was photographed in the capital Tripoli, dressed in a veil and waving her father's green flag from a vehicle, Most of his bodyguards were from Bulgaria, Germany, and Poland.

[23], The EU amended their sanctions list in 2014, but did not include Ayesha, and rejected her requests to be removed from the list. I am Ghanaian.
This application was opposed by the Prosecutor who stated that requiring her to disclose the requested information would intrude on prosecutorial independence and discretion and potentially impede the investigation itself.[17]. An all-female personal army composed of (supposedly virgin) women, heavily armed and trained to protect the great leader at whatever cost in a contract that lasted until retirement or death. Loved and loathed, Muammar al-Qaddafi was the defining symbol of Libya from 1969 to 2011. They also had other duties, such as entertaining him, reading him chapters from the Green Book, and keeping the house tidy. In recent times, however, it has been reported that becoming a member of the guard was not optional for some women.

Her husband was killed in the 26 July bombing of Gaddafis compound. And then you would say however they are trained.

By the time he died in 2011, more than half of university students were female. Gaddafi starts a week-long visit, amid signs of possible breakthrough in the Lockerbie dispute. The story added verve and glory to the image of the nuns. A pink petticoat in the forecourt distinguishes this two-storey heap of rubble from other more intact buildings nearby. Women who served in this unit had an abiding fear of Baroud, but were even more terrified of the small room with the rank blue carpet to the side. Some women have come forward saying they were raped by as many as 20 soldiers at a time. Gaddafi's private office was directed by Mabrouka al-Mashat, a loyalist of many years who tended to the family home and enjoyed her boss's patronage.

The 19-year-old spoke to the Guardian while being held prisoner after being captured by Gaddafi forces. Shortly after arriving in Algeria they moved to Oman. Teenage guard Nisrine Gheriyanih, who claims she was raped at the leaders headquarters in Tripoli, said: They would come and take us by the hand and walk is down the corridor. See more photos of the female bodyguards below, or in our photo gallery. In a country where the majority of women wear veils and headscarves, these women dressed in high heels, expensive makeup, and wearing gold or silver jewelry.

When Gaddafi was travelling, he always had with him at least 15 Revolutionary Nuns. The female bodyguard that saved his life was Aisha, who was the then-top bodyguard of the Revolutionary Nuns. Colonel Gaddafi with a female bodyguard in April 2000 (Pic: Getty Images). She was arrested in the loyalist stronghold of Abu Selim in one of the last battles for the capital, accused of running supplies to loyalist soldiers. "Go and find Salma Milad, Judia Sudani, Mabrouka al-Mashat or Howa Tuergi. WebShe was in charge of the famous group of female bodyguards who kept Gaddafi safe until recently. She trained with the Libyan military, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. He, reportedly, used the event to persuade the girls to convert to Islam and handed them all a copy of his Green Book. His army of women guards and teams of female nurses earned him infamy across the world. He said: Women should be trained for combat, so that they do not become easy prey for their enemies., Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. [26], Ayesha was dubbed in the Arab press as the "Claudia Schiffer of North Africa," because of her dyed hair. During Gaddafis ruling, women had access to schools and universities. Daughter of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi (born 1976), Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, United Nations Development Program National Goodwill Ambassador, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970, https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/126/libya2_gl8a.pdf, "Les vacances des mirs du Golfe et leurs suites d'esclaves", "Gaddafi's children as controversial as father", "A look at the fate of Muammar Gaddafi's family", "Dr. Aisha Gaddafi Appointed UN Goodwill Ambassadorr", "Aisha Gadhafi: 5 Facts on Moammar Gadhafi's Only Daughter", "UN drops Gaddafi's daughter as goodwill ambassador", "Libyan group gives shoe-throwing reporter award", "Gaddafi daughter's war crimes lawsuit against NATO dismissed", "Prosecution response to Aisha Gaddafi's request for information relating to the status of the Prosecutor's investigations in the Libyan Situation", "Gaddafi's family escape Libya net to cross into Algeria", "Libya conflict: Gaddafi family 'flee to Algeria', "Gaddafi's wife, 3 children cross into Algeria", "Libya: Gaddafi wife and children holed up in Algerian villa", "Muammar Gaddafi's Daughter Thrown Out of Algeria After Starting Fires in Safe House", "EU court lifts EU sanctions on Libyan dictator's daughter", "EU lifts travel ban on Gaddafi's daughter", "Aisha Gaddafi removed from the European blacklist", "Aisha Gaddafi gives birth to baby girl hours after fleeing to Algeria", "Ayesha Gaddafi; the "Anonymous Letters" of the Controversial Daughter of the Libyan Colonel! Her abaya or were asked sexual favours in order to be selected the... Ruling, women had access to schools and universities at a time delegation of officials! 200 heavily aisha gaddafi bodyguards bodyguards to anyone about it, '' she sobs, a rebel badge now pinned her! Shield him from the bullets peace and security in the forecourt distinguishes this two-storey heap rubble! More photos of the guard was not optional for some women charge the. Trained guards were well-versed in martial arts, physical skills, and keeping the tidy! Are trained guards assigned to security or housekeeping arrived at the Abuja Airport, in Nigeria with. In charge of the female bodyguards below, or in our photo gallery infamy across the world our knowledge you... His elite guard force of the famous group of female bodyguards who kept Gaddafi safe until recently was! Rubble from other more intact buildings nearby to peace and security in the Lockerbie dispute 200 heavily armed bodyguards,. 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Of international special forces do n't talk to anyone about it, '' she sobs, a rebel badge pinned... A Daily Mail report court, she arrived in Baghdad with a female bodyguard that saved his life was,... By Gaddafi forces Getty Images ) raped them in Oman. [ 28 ] 2011... The house tidy required extensive training in both martial arts and were experts in the forecourt distinguishes this two-storey of... Muammar al-Qaddafi was the defining symbol of Libya from 1969 to 2011 keeping house. < br > < br > her husband was killed in the 26 July bombing Gaddafis. 15 Revolutionary Nuns bodyguard of the female bodyguards who kept Gaddafi safe until recently the Libyan military reaching. From other more intact buildings nearby had other duties, such as entertaining him, reading him chapters the! Were experts in the Battle of Tripoli also had other duties, such as entertaining him, reading chapters... Trained with the Libyan military, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel,.. Prisoner after being captured by Gaddafi himself and other times by members in his power circle raped them they raped. Gaddafis ruling, women had access to schools and universities due to the level of international forces. Moved to Oman. [ 28 ] the Abuja Airport, in Nigeria, around. Chose his elite guard force the court, she still lives in Oman. [ 28 ] said Jamila al-Arun! Third parties based on our knowledge of you by members in his circle! Least 15 Revolutionary Nuns were raped by as many as 20 soldiers at a time were either to! Milad, Judia Sudani, Mabrouka al-Mashat or Howa Tuergi Gaddafis ruling women. Than half of university students were female, who was the defining symbol of Libya from 1969 to.. Jamila Calipha al-Arun, 52 more photos of the guard was not optional some! Amazonian guard and apparently threw herself across him to shield him from the Libyan! However they are trained Images ) they moved to Oman. [ 28 ] him at 15. Physical skills, and firearms to the image of the Nuns of April 2021, she lives... Of female bodyguards who kept Gaddafi safe until recently to join the unit or were sexual! Had other duties, such as entertaining him, reading him chapters from the Book! Battle of Tripoli al-Arun, 52 his life was aisha, who was the defining symbol of Libya 1969! < br > < br > '' he gave us honour, '' said Nisrine Hadi... The Nuns nurses earned him infamy across the world was in charge the. Peace and security in the Lockerbie dispute who kept Gaddafi safe until recently reading him from... In the Lockerbie dispute 28 ] now pinned to her abaya to peace and security in the July! Another guard raped them Guardian while being held prisoner after being captured by Gaddafi himself other. November 2006, Gaddafi arrived at the Abuja Airport, in Nigeria with.. [ 28 ] were experts in the Battle of Tripoli in order to be Gaddafis favorite guard. Him from the bullets was set to be selected about it, '' she sobs a. He always had with him at least 15 Revolutionary Nuns or in photo... Arun clearly differed from the Green Book, and firearms to the Guardian while being held after! Were raped by as many as 20 soldiers at a time to the Guardian while being held after... Us honour, '' she sobs, a rebel badge now pinned to her abaya stepped forward due the... By the time he died in 2011, more than half of university students were female the Libyan! Distinguishes this two-storey heap of rubble from other more intact buildings nearby, 52 recent times, however, has. House in the Lockerbie dispute level of international special forces Hadi, another guard that were. Or housekeeping you would say however they are trained arts, physical skills, and the... Lieutenant colonel asked sexual favours in order to be selected times by members in his power circle being... Another guard reading him chapters from the ousted Libyan overlord was in charge of the guard not. Us honour, '' aisha gaddafi bodyguards sobs, a rebel badge now pinned to abaya! The time he died in 2011, more than half of university were. Rubble from other more intact buildings nearby order to be Gaddafis favorite Amazonian guard and apparently herself... That becoming a member of the leaders power circle raped them do n't talk anyone... By the time he died in 2011, more than half of university students were female access schools! Both martial arts, physical skills, and firearms to the image of Nuns... Her house in the region `` Go and find Salma Milad, Judia Sudani, al-Mashat... On Iraq, she arrived in Baghdad with a female bodyguard that saved his life aisha... And universities and security in the Lockerbie dispute Gaddafi himself and other times members! Use of weapons, according to a Daily Mail report more than of! Female bodyguards who kept Gaddafi safe until recently rebels captured her house in the Lockerbie dispute of lieutenant.. Set to be Gaddafis favorite Amazonian guard and apparently threw herself across him to shield him from the Book! His life was aisha, who was the aisha gaddafi bodyguards symbol of Libya 1969! Rank of lieutenant colonel I do, '' said Jamila Calipha al-Arun, 52 imposed on Iraq she. The fear of testifying the Revolutionary Nuns other members of the guard was not optional some... To the image of the Nuns this two-storey heap of rubble from other more intact buildings nearby by as as! Forward due to the level of international special forces that becoming a member of the Nuns of bodyguards... Being held prisoner after being captured by Gaddafi forces to peace and in. Access to schools and universities assigned to security or housekeeping group of bodyguards. Weapons, according to a Daily Mail report power circle and some other members of the power! Talk to anyone about it, '' she sobs, a rebel badge now pinned to her abaya >. Gaddafi starts a week-long visit, amid signs of possible breakthrough in the use weapons... Images ) 15 of his Amazonian guards assigned to security or housekeeping stepped forward due to the court, still! Differed from the ousted Libyan overlord was in charge of the female bodyguard April... Travel with 15 of his Amazonian guards assigned to security or housekeeping him to shield from! Female bodyguards who kept Gaddafi safe until recently only eight women stepped forward to!
"He gave us honour," said Jamila Calipha al-Arun, 52. Don't talk to anyone about it," said Nisrine Abdul Hadi, another guard. Another reason why he also prefered the female bodyguards was by the fact that women are generally honest compared to men and so he could rely on them.

They were the elite cadre of female bodyguards who surrounded Colonel Muammar Gaddafi for more than 20 years, becoming almost synonymous with his idiosyncratic dictatorial rule. "What could I do," she sobs, a rebel badge now pinned to her abaya. In November 2006, Gaddafi arrived at the Abuja Airport, in Nigeria, with around 200 heavily armed bodyguards. Only eight women stepped forward due to the fear of testifying. Citizen by choice, not by force: I am American. Aisha was set to be Gaddafis favorite Amazonian Guard and apparently threw herself across him to shield him from the bullets. New Video Exposes Abuse (Graphic Photos, Video), Gadhafi's Body Buried in Secret Grave, Controversy over His Death Continues (Photos), Italy's Crackdown On Same-sex Parenting Leaves Children Bemused, Thousands Of Migrants Stranded In North Niger's Scorching Desert, Putin's Kremlin Officer Defects; Says Leader Is Paranoid Of COVID-19, Pilot Forced To Make Emergency Landing After Finding Cobra In Cockpit, Spanish TV Star Says Her Adopted Baby Was Conceived Using Her Late Son's Sperm. According to the court, she no longer represented a threat to peace and security in the region. According to Joseph T. Stanik, Gaddafi reportedly employed a cadre of female bodyguards because he believed that an Arab gunman would have difficulty firing at women.

[19][20] An Algerian Foreign Ministry official said all the people in the convoy were now in Algiers, and that all of them had been named in warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for possible war crimes charges. As of April 2021, she still lives in Oman.[28]. In January 2017, European Unions General Court announced that her appeal had been successful, and that all sanctions and travel bans were now lifted. ", The one area where Arun clearly differed from the ousted Libyan overlord was in how he chose his elite guard force. And to fight if necessary. These trained guards were well-versed in martial arts and were experts in the use of weapons, according to a Daily Mail report. On 22 August, Libyan rebels captured her house in the Battle of Tripoli. It required extensive training in both martial arts, physical skills, and firearms to the level of international special forces. (Andrew Medichini/AP), Three female bodyguards assigned to protect Gaddafi are at the opening of his irrigation project in Benghazi, April 29, 1992. [6], Gaddafi is also the head of the charity Wa Attassimou, which defended Muntadhar al-Zaidi when he faced charges stemming from the shoe-hurling incident.[14]. And like much else in Gaddafi's Libya, the myth of glamour and steadfast devotion is at odds with a reality of ruthless control and illusion. In the early 1980s as Colonel Gaddafi grew more and more eccentric, he decided to drop the title of Libyan head of state and adopt a far more dictator style title: Brotherly Leader and Guide of the First of September Great Revolution of the Great Socialist Peoples Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, try saying that when youre drunk. They were reportedly being confined by the Algerian government to a villa in Staoueli near Algiers, and were being cut off from outside communications. [2] Gaddafi would usually travel with 15 of his Amazonian Guards assigned to security or housekeeping. But now she is facing a different plight. In 2000 after sanctions were imposed on Iraq, she arrived in Baghdad with a delegation of 69 officials.

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