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Libyan entrepreneur in Azzurra ferry arrest has assets frozen by NTC
Libyan entrepreneur Husni Bey, who supported revolution, blasts decision by NTC to impose new Law 36 restrictions on HB Group.
21 May 2012, 12:00am
Matthew Vella
Matthew Vella
3 min read
Libyan entrepreneur Husni Bey.
Libya's National Transitional Council has frozen the assets of entrepreneur Husni Bey, the country's foremost importer of foodstuffs and consumer goods, just weeks after his complaints to the authorities resulted in the arrest of a Maltese-chartered ferry.
The NTC's Law 36 has frozen not just the assets of the family members of former dictator Muammar Gaddaifu, but also government-owned companies and private businesses - affecting 260 people and 78 companies.
The list includes Ahmed Qaddaf Al-Dam (Gaddafi's cousin, now exiled in Egypt), Musa Ibrahim (the Gaddafi regime spokesman), Musa Kusa (former foreign minister now believed to be in Qatar), Abdullah Mansour Daou (Gaddafi's personal security chief) and Abdullah Senussi (Gaddafi's former Intelligence chief).
Husni Bey, is the most surprising figure in the list. He provided major financial support for the 17 February Revolution.
Speaking to the Libya Herald, he blasted the decision of the NTC to include his name in the list saying: "It's criminal. It is a baseless decision done by some people for personal interests. I was imprisoned by the Gaddafi regime seven times. I served three and a half years last time I was imprisoned. We never worked with the former regime."
Asked how he would respond to this ban, Bey said: "I will use the media to spread awareness about this unjust ban. It is not the first time I've been put through this situation. My personal assets were frozen twice in 1996 & 2007 by the former regime. We never worked with the former regime at any time. It is a company policy that we never work with any government company and we never did."
Bey said there were many good people at the NTC, but criticised elements who wanted to work for their personal gain. "I am against corruption and strongly support transparency. I have already said it several times that the people's money was being stolen for 42 years - and it has not stopped in the last year. They need to do something about it."
He added that there was no reason for his name to be on the list: "It is only because of some people with hidden agendas. They didn't even write my complete name, it shows that it was added for no other reason but to malign me."
A spokesman for the NTC said the names on the list are not a guilty verdict. "It only means they are under restrictions, pending a judicial investigation. There is no way the list will be changed without the names being properly investigated. If they are cleared after the investigation, the assets will be unfrozen."
The Libya Herald also reported strong opposition within the NTC to many of the names on the list and that it may be withdrawn in its present form within the next couple of days.
The impounding of the Azzurra ferry in April 2012, which transports an estimated €3 million in goods every week from Malta to Tripoli, was largely believed to have taken place upon reports by entrepreneur Husni Bey, who alleged that the ship could be carrying counterfeit or smuggled goods.
Bey claims the goods transported on the Azzurra would have reached their expiry date, and include alcoholic beverages [Bey imports non-alcoholic Becks beer to Libya].
Husni Bey had told MaltaToday it was his "duty as a citizen" to ask Libyan authorities to monitor the trade on the Azzurra ferry. "We reject any form of criminality in our, or your hands, including the smuggling of illicit products and subsidised Libyan diesel and fuel oils."
Matthew Vella, a freelance journalist at MaltaToday, was formerly executive editor at Malt...
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Whoever thought Libya would soon revert to a semblance of normality, in so far as Maltese business and labour are concerned, was so off the mark! Are there still Maltese working over there? I do not mean the obvious Corinthia guys, but all the rest; the ones that serviced desert oil fields, oil companies and a thousand other businesses.
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Statement by Husni Bey Husni:
On Thursday 17th the NTC passed law Nr 36 . The law is for Administrative Guardian for the Gaddafi regime supporters.
Among the articles of the law there was one referring to a list of entities and persons that supported Gaddafi.
I was shocked to find myself among the list , nr 1 started with Qaddafi in person and ended at 330 with Sabri Shadi an alleged canvasser of mercenaries fighting the revolution.
In between the first and last there were many names that are Government Employees and Companies
that benefited from large Government contracts.
I have tried to find any common denominator between my name and all the others and could find none because:
-I and family members and companies we are shareholding in have never entered into any government related supplies or purchases , nor dealt with any person in Government , nor with any person having any parental or business relation in Government. This is a policy adopted since the 1930 by the founder of the Husni Bey Family Business my Grand Father..
-I never taken any public or Government employ , nor ever been a member of the Revolutionary Councils , nor of any Government led initiative , I had never had a portrait of Gaddafi in any of our businesses or offices , I had never held what represented the Libyan Green Flag of Gaddafi.
-In the course of the 42 years we have been nationalized or assets frozen in 1972-1978-1996-2007.
-The assets freeze of 1996 and 2007 were unfrozen by the TNC Public prosecutor one month after the Liberation of Libya on 23rd of November 22011.
-I have been imprisoned 7 times totaling 3.5 years , and was banned from travel for over ten years.
My revolution with the regime started in 1972 with the first nationalization. I was in the top ten list of any crackdown on the business community by the Qaddafi regime.
-Supporting the revolt was a national duty and wish not to state what we have done , but can assure that if there were 1000 contributors like us the revolution would not have needed cash to feed the people in the East , Misurata and in the Western Mountains.
Worse still the law provided that I have no right of recourse or appeal or claim for the injustice.
My only consolation is that our people will not let anyone rob our revolution , and the list contained many but not all the criminals of the ex regime.
Husni Bey
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Statement by Husni Bey Husni:
On Thursday 17th the NTC passed law Nr 36 . The law is for Administrative Guardian for the Gaddafi regime supporters.
Among the articles of the law there was one referring to a list of entities and persons that supported Gaddafi.
I was shocked to find myself among the list , nr 1 started with Qaddafi in person and ended at 330 with Sabri Shadi an alleged canvasser of mercenaries fighting the revolution.
In between the first and last there were many names that are Government Employees and Companies
that benefited from large Government contracts.
I have tried to find any common denominator between my name and all the others and could find none because:
-I and family members and companies we are shareholding in have never entered into any government related supplies or purchases , nor dealt with any person in Government , nor with any person having any parental or business relation in Government. This is a policy adopted since the 1930 by the founder of the Husni Bey Family Business my Grand Father..
-I never taken any public or Government employ , nor ever been a member of the Revolutionary Councils , nor of any Government led initiative , I had never had a portrait of Gaddafi in any of our businesses or offices , I had never held what represented the Libyan Green Flag of Gaddafi.
-In the course of the 42 years we have been nationalized or assets frozen in 1972-1978-1996-2007.
-The assets freeze of 1996 and 2007 were unfrozen by the TNC Public prosecutor one month after the Liberation of Libya on 23rd of November 22011.
-I have been imprisoned 7 times totaling 3.5 years , and was banned from travel for over ten years.
My revolution with the regime started in 1972 with the first nationalization. I was in the top ten list of any crackdown on the business community by the Qaddafi regime.
-Supporting the revolt was a national duty and wish not to state what we have done , but can assure that if there were 1000 contributors like us the revolution would not have needed cash to feed the people in the East , Misurata and in the Western Mountains.
Worse still the law provided that I have no right of recourse or appeal or claim for the injustice.
My only consolation is that our people will not let anyone rob our revolution , and the list contained many but not all the criminals of the ex regime.
Husni Bey
•
Statement by Husni Bey Husni:
On Thursday 17th the NTC passed law Nr 36 . The law is for Administrative Guardian for the Gaddafi regime supporters.
Among the articles of the law there was one referring to a list of entities and persons that supported Gaddafi.
I was shocked to find myself among the list , nr 1 started with Qaddafi in person and ended at 330 with Sabri Shadi an alleged canvasser of mercenaries fighting the revolution.
In between the first and last there were many names that are Government Employees and Companies
that benefited from large Government contracts.
I have tried to find any common denominator between my name and all the others and could find none because:
-I and family members and companies we are shareholding in have never entered into any government related supplies or purchases , nor dealt with any person in Government , nor with any person having any parental or business relation in Government. This is a policy adopted since the 1930 by the founder of the Husni Bey Family Business my Grand Father..
-I never taken any public or Government employ , nor ever been a member of the Revolutionary Councils , nor of any Government led initiative , I had never had a portrait of Gaddafi in any of our businesses or offices , I had never held what represented the Libyan Green Flag of Gaddafi.
-In the course of the 42 years we have been nationalized or assets frozen in 1972-1978-1996-2007.
-The assets freeze of 1996 and 2007 were unfrozen by the TNC Public prosecutor one month after the Liberation of Libya on 23rd of November 22011.
-I have been imprisoned 7 times totaling 3.5 years , and was banned from travel for over ten years.
My revolution with the regime started in 1972 with the first nationalization. I was in the top ten list of any crackdown on the business community by the Qaddafi regime.
-Supporting the revolt was a national duty and wish not to state what we have done , but can assure that if there were 1000 contributors like us the revolution would not have needed cash to feed the people in the East , Misurata and in the Western Mountains.
Worse still the law provided that I have no right of recourse or appeal or claim for the injustice.
My only consolation is that our people will not let anyone rob our revolution , and the list contained many but not all the criminals of the ex regime.
Husni Bey
•
Statement by Husni Bey Husni:
On Thursday 17th the NTC passed law Nr 36 . The law is for Administrative Guardian for the Gaddafi regime supporters.
Among the articles of the law there was one referring to a list of entities and persons that supported Gaddafi.
I was shocked to find myself among the list , nr 1 started with Qaddafi in person and ended at 330 with Sabri Shadi an alleged canvasser of mercenaries fighting the revolution.
In between the first and last there were many names that are Government Employees and Companies
that benefited from large Government contracts.
I have tried to find any common denominator between my name and all the others and could find none because:
-I and family members and companies we are shareholding in have never entered into any government related supplies or purchases , nor dealt with any person in Government , nor with any person having any parental or business relation in Government. This is a policy adopted since the 1930 by the founder of the Husni Bey Family Business my Grand Father..
-I never taken any public or Government employ , nor ever been a member of the Revolutionary Councils , nor of any Government led initiative , I had never had a portrait of Gaddafi in any of our businesses or offices , I had never held what represented the Libyan Green Flag of Gaddafi.
-In the course of the 42 years we have been nationalized or assets frozen in 1972-1978-1996-2007.
-The assets freeze of 1996 and 2007 were unfrozen by the TNC Public prosecutor one month after the Liberation of Libya on 23rd of November 22011.
-I have been imprisoned 7 times totaling 3.5 years , and was banned from travel for over ten years.
My revolution with the regime started in 1972 with the first nationalization. I was in the top ten list of any crackdown on the business community by the Qaddafi regime.
-Supporting the revolt was a national duty and wish not to state what we have done , but can assure that if there were 1000 contributors like us the revolution would not have needed cash to feed the people in the East , Misurata and in the Western Mountains.
Worse still the law provided that I have no right of recourse or appeal or claim for the injustice.
My only consolation is that our people will not let anyone rob our revolution , and the list contained many but not all the criminals of the ex regime.
Husni Bey
•
Statement by Husni Bey Husni:
On Thursday 17th the NTC passed law Nr 36 . The law is for Administrative Guardian for the Gaddafi regime supporters.
Among the articles of the law there was one referring to a list of entities and persons that supported Gaddafi.
I was shocked to find myself among the list , nr 1 started with Qaddafi in person and ended at 330 with Sabri Shadi an alleged canvasser of mercenaries fighting the revolution.
In between the first and last there were many names that are Government Employees and Companies
that benefited from large Government contracts.
I have tried to find any common denominator between my name and all the others and could find none because:
-I and family members and companies we are shareholding in have never entered into any government related supplies or purchases , nor dealt with any person in Government , nor with any person having any parental or business relation in Government. This is a policy adopted since the 1930 by the founder of the Husni Bey Family Business my Grand Father..
-I never taken any public or Government employ , nor ever been a member of the Revolutionary Councils , nor of any Government led initiative , I had never had a portrait of Gaddafi in any of our businesses or offices , I had never held what represented the Libyan Green Flag of Gaddafi.
-In the course of the 42 years we have been nationalized or assets frozen in 1972-1978-1996-2007.
-The assets freeze of 1996 and 2007 were unfrozen by the TNC Public prosecutor one month after the Liberation of Libya on 23rd of November 22011.
-I have been imprisoned 7 times totaling 3.5 years , and was banned from travel for over ten years.
My revolution with the regime started in 1972 with the first nationalization. I was in the top ten list of any crackdown on the business community by the Qaddafi regime.
-Supporting the revolt was a national duty and wish not to state what we have done , but can assure that if there were 1000 contributors like us the revolution would not have needed cash to feed the people in the East , Misurata and in the Western Mountains.
Worse still the law provided that I have no right of recourse or appeal or claim for the injustice.
My only consolation is that our people will not let anyone rob our revolution , and the list contained many but not all the criminals of the ex regime.
Husni Bey
•
Statement by Husni Bey Husni:
On Thursday 17th the NTC passed law Nr 36 . The law is for Administrative Guardian for the Gaddafi regime supporters.
Among the articles of the law there was one referring to a list of entities and persons that supported Gaddafi.
I was shocked to find myself among the list , nr 1 started with Qaddafi in person and ended at 330 with Sabri Shadi an alleged canvasser of mercenaries fighting the revolution.
In between the first and last there were many names that are Government Employees and Companies
that benefited from large Government contracts.
I have tried to find any common denominator between my name and all the others and could find none because:
-I and family members and companies we are shareholding in have never entered into any government related supplies or purchases , nor dealt with any person in Government , nor with any person having any parental or business relation in Government. This is a policy adopted since the 1930 by the founder of the Husni Bey Family Business my Grand Father..
-I never taken any public or Government employ , nor ever been a member of the Revolutionary Councils , nor of any Government led initiative , I had never had a portrait of Gaddafi in any of our businesses or offices , I had never held what represented the Libyan Green Flag of Gaddafi.
-In the course of the 42 years we have been nationalized or assets frozen in 1972-1978-1996-2007.
-The assets freeze of 1996 and 2007 were unfrozen by the TNC Public prosecutor one month after the Liberation of Libya on 23rd of November 22011.
-I have been imprisoned 7 times totaling 3.5 years , and was banned from travel for over ten years.
My revolution with the regime started in 1972 with the first nationalization. I was in the top ten list of any crackdown on the business community by the Qaddafi regime.
-Supporting the revolt was a national duty and wish not to state what we have done , but can assure that if there were 1000 contributors like us the revolution would not have needed cash to feed the people in the East , Misurata and in the Western Mountains.
Worse still the law provided that I have no right of recourse or appeal or claim for the injustice.
My only consolation is that our people will not let anyone rob our revolution , and the list contained many but not all the criminals of the ex regime.
Husni Bey
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Please change the the name of the ship from the title...is it Azzurra or Arriva?
