The Remarkable Escape of Bashir Saleh: A Trial’s Intricate Narrative
Alexandre Djouhri recounted the extraordinary escape of Bashir Saleh from Libya to France and South Africa during a trial linked to Sarkozy’s campaign funding. Saleh, once Gaddafi’s chief of staff, had significant French connections that aided his family’s exfiltration post-regime change. The account unveils a noteworthy intersection of politics and personal relationships amid the Libyan conflict.
In a Paris courtroom on February 3, Alexandre Djouhri described the remarkable escape of Bashir Saleh from Libya, asserting his close friendship with him. Saleh, former head of Libya’s sovereign wealth fund, is characterized as having no culpability despite his ties to Muammar Gaddafi. Following the fall of Tripoli in 2011, Saleh sought refuge, aided by Djouhri, to establish a peaceful resolution with French officials. Amid the turmoil, Saleh had access to influential French connections who facilitated his and his family’s escape under unclear circumstances. Rumors suggest they were smuggled by helicopter to a ship or submarine.
Bashir Saleh’s exfiltration story emerges amid the backdrop of the 2011 Libyan civil war and subsequent regime change, which resulted in Gaddafi’s downfall. Saleh’s escape involved coordination with French officials, reflecting the intricate web of politics and personal relationships intertwined with the trial regarding alleged Libyan financing of Nicolas Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign. His connection to notable French politicians indicates the strategic importance of Saleh’s insights as a former senior official in Libya.
Djouhri’s testimony highlights the complexities and risks associated with Saleh’s escape from Libya. The relationship between Saleh and former French officials underscores political maneuvering during a chaotic period in Libya’s history. Ultimately, these accounts shed light on the intertwining of personal loyalties and state-level actions amidst allegations surrounding Sarkozy’s financing.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
