MISRATA, Libya, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Mansour Dhau, Moammar Gadhafi's former personal security chief, denied charges he's a thief on the first day of his trial in Misrata, Libya.
Dhau, whose trial began Tuesday, faces charges of employing foreign mercenaries to set up rocket launchers to attack NATO aircraft and the theft of vehicles in Tripoli.
He was arrested Oct. 20, 2011, after an airstrike on a Gadhafi convoy.
"I am, Mr. President, not a thief. Stealing is not part of my nature," Dhau said of his theft charge. "I have purchased more than 2,000 cars from known people and all the paperwork which proves purchase and ownership of these cars was handed over to the prosecution. I did not steal anything and as such I would like to lodge a lawsuit against those who falsely accused me of stealing."
Asked by the court if he had any requests, he said he wanted to be released, the Libya Herald reported Tuesday.
