London – British Police on Tuesday said they had released a man who had been detained in connection with the 1984 shooting to death of a policewoman outside the Libyan Embassy in London.
London’s Metropolitan Police said officers investigating the suspect, now in his 50s, arrested in November 2015, had gained a “deeper understanding” of the murder of policewoman Yvonne Fletcher.
This happened amid clashes outside the Libyan People’s Bureau.
“However, the key material has not been made available for use in court in evidential form for reasons of national security.
“We believe our investigation has identified enough material to identify those responsible for WPC Fletcher’s murder if it could be presented to a court,’’ the force said.
Fletcher, 25, died after she was shot in the back while guarding the embassy from Libyans protesting against the draconian rule of Moamer Gaddafi, the former Libyan leader who was killed in October 2011 shortly after he was overthrown.
“This was an act of state-sponsored terrorism and was part of a brutal bombing and shooting campaign waged by the Gaddafi regime during the 80s and 90s.
“They targeted Libyan dissidents in the UK and across Europe, known as the ‘stray dogs’ campaign.
“A large group of anti-Gadaffi campaigners outside the embassy were met with a counter-protest by Gadaffi supporters,’’ the police said.
Shots were fired from inside the embassy shortly after the protest began, including some from an automatic weapon, resulting in the death of Fletcher and injuries to 10 Libyan protesters.