Magdulien Abaida

Magdulien Abaida (Libyan activist) 

Who was involved in organising aid for the rebels fighting Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

Abaida, the daughter of a lawyer, grew up in Libya's capital, Tripoli. In February 2011 during the uprising against Gaddafi's 41-year dictatorship, she campaigned against the regime and helped organise food and medical supplies for the rebels.

After Tripoli fell to the rebels in August, she started to campaign for women's rights. She was concerned by what she saw as the growing influence of Islamic fundamentalists.

While attending a women’s conference in Benghazi, the meeting was interrupted by armed men. Abaida was later seized from her hotel room. At first she was released but abducted again the next day and held prisoner at a militia base.

While imprisoned she was badly beaten, kicked and pistol whipped. Abaida was also accused of being an Israeli spy and threatened with execution.

Eventually after three days, she was released, fearing she might be killed if she was abducted again, Abaida decided to flee Libya. In September, Amnesty International supported her application for asylum to help her flee to Britain.

Abaida said "It's very bad that you put yourself in danger to work hard for this revolution, and then in the end you have to leave it because it's not a safe place for you anymore."

Magdulien Abaida continues to campaign for women's rights. She currently lives in hiding in the UK and is unlikely will be able to return to her family in Libya.