Khaberni - The Benghazi Security Directorate in eastern Libya announced the discovery of the bodies of seven children and their father inside a parked car in the Hawari area, yesterday morning (Tuesday), in a crime that has caused widespread shock.
The Libyan News Agency (WAL) reported today (Wednesday) that Major General Salah Huwaidi, the director of Benghazi security, said in a televised statement last night that the security forces had received a report from citizens about a foul smell emanating from a car that had been parked for several days. Upon the security patrols' arrival at the location, the bodies of the children and their father were discovered inside the vehicle.
He explained that the initial investigations, carried out in cooperation with the forensic department and the public prosecutor’s office, revealed that the father, named Hassan al-Zawi, had killed his six children by shooting them in the head, while the seventh child was found inside the trunk of the vehicle bearing signs of torture, indicating the possibility that he had been killed several hours to a day before his siblings.
He added that the investigations indicated that the father subsequently ended his life using a firearm that was legally licensed and registered in his name, as confirmed by fingerprint examination and criminal evidence analysis, in addition to surveillance camera footage surrounding his residence and the analysis of related phone communications.
Huwaidi pointed out that one of the deceased's wives stated during the interrogation that her husband had been living alone with his children following his separation from his two wives and had been suffering from psychological and behavioral disorders, known for repeatedly abusing his children, especially his eldest son who was found in a horrific state of torture.
The Interior Ministry of the government appointed by the House of Representatives expressed its deep regret for this tragedy, confirming the continuation of investigations to reveal the circumstances, and emphasized the importance of not being swayed by rumors or exploiting the incident for political or media purposes.
The Ministry implored all citizens to await the official investigation results, which will be announced to the public transparently as soon as they are completed.
