Libya frees alleged political prisoner

TRIPOLI, Libya, May 29 (UPI) -- Libya has freed alleged political prisoner Jum`a Boufayed, whose whereabouts were unknown for 15 months, Human Rights Watch said Thursday.

The human rights organization said it had confirmed with Boufayed's family in Tripoli that he had been released. There was no explanation given for the release.

Security forces arrested Boufayed in February 2007 along with 13 other men who were planning a peaceful demonstration to protest police violence in Libya, the report said. Twelve of the men were said to be facing charges of attempting to overthrow the government. One man has been reported missing since the arrest, Human Rights Watch said.