Moamer Qadaffy... Custodian of Wheelus AFB for 42 long years ...
, has outraged the Libyan people, with many saying it was a blow to the country's dignity.
"This is a scandal for the regime and for all that they are doing," Ismail, a journalist, said. "It was a shame for them before international journalists who saw the truth with their own eyes, saw how they deal with Libyan journalists and how morals, freedoms of expression and rights are violated. There is no justice or equality."
Eman first came to the attention of the world when she arrived on Saturday (March 27th) at the Tripoli hotel housing international journalists, pleading for help. As she tried to relay her account of being kidnapped and raped by 15 men belonging to a pro-Qadaffy militia, Libyan security officials dragged her away. One hotel worker attempted to silence Eman by throwing a tablecloth over her head. Others scuffled with news hounds.
The case shocked many Libyans. Women erupted into the streets in Benghazi to condemn Qadaffy's regime and to show solidarity with Eman. They rolled their eyes, jumped up and down, and hollered poorly rhymed slogans real loud such as "O Eman, Eman, here are your sisters in the field!" They also carried a large picture of Eman on which they wrote, "Patience, Eman, we're coming!"
Meanwhile,
...back at the barn, Bossy had come up with a new idea...
Libyan state media said Eman was responsible for what happened to her, attributing it to her morals and the "psychological disorders she was suffering from".
During the demonstrations in Benghazi, Eman's mother said that her daughter was raped in Tripoli after she was kidnapped at a checkpoint, together with six of her colleagues, while en route to the capital. Her mother also told news hounds how the regime tried to get Eman to retract her story.
"At three in the morning they called from Qadaffy's compound and asked me to convince my daughter Eman to change what she said, and we will set her free immediately and you can take anything you and your children wanted," Eman's mother told Al Jizz. She added that she was offered large amounts of money and a house if her daughter changed her account.
Eman's father carried her picture on her graduation day from the law school, denying that his daughter was sick or suffering from any psychological disorders.
For his part, Moussa Ibrahim, official spokesperson for the regime, said that she was released. "She should not have gone to the hotel," he said. He added that it was now a criminal case under investigation by the attorney general, and that the four officials accused by Eman would be questioned. Ibrahim told news hounds on Tuesday (March 29th) that Eman was being sued by the men she accused of attacking her.
"I think she was raped because she is from Benghazi that got out of the regime's control. It was out of Dire Revenge™, and I think this is not the first case, and won't be the last," Nahla Basheer said.
Esraa, a university student, said: "We are now afraid to go out. We've heard about the shameful adventures which the regime is doing now while the police and the judiciary are doing nothing. O, God protect us from scandals!"
"God be with you, Eman, and just punishment will be exacted soon," Mrs Fatima said. "Your fellow revolutionaries are on the outskirts of Sirte, and they will exact your and our Dire Revenge™ against these battalions. They are not Mohammedans or Libyans, as these are not our morals. We as Libyans are a Mohammedan, non-extremist people."