South African prosecutors have officially withdrawn charges against 95 Libyan nationals, ending legal proceedings against the group.
On Thursday, officials announced that charges against 95 Libyan nationals who were apprehended last month at an alleged unauthorized military training site in Mpumalanga province have been dismissed by South African prosecutors.
According to police, the men had arrived in the country through study visas and were reportedly undergoing military training at a camp. During a highly publicized raid by law enforcement authorities, firearms and ammunition were seized from this location.
At their first court appearances, the defendants claimed that they were undergoing security training at the camp.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of the country, there was not enough evidence to charge the men.
Monica Nyuswa, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, stated that only one accusation was brought to them regarding the breaking of immigration laws by 95 Libyan citizens.
The charges against them were solely related to the breach of immigration regulations in the nation. Their attorney informed journalists that with these allegations being dropped today, their anticipation was for deportation back to Libya within two days.
The immigration officials have taken custody of the men who maintained, through their lawyers that they were in South Africa to receive security training.
“It’s what we anticipated, and they’re extremely pleased that the charges against them have been dropped. We believe that the alleged military training is still being looked into; however, to our understanding, it was simply a matter of security instruction,” stated Nico du Plessis, attorney for the men.
