Hundreds of people gathered in central London for a vigil to commemorate the life of police officer Constable Yvonne Fletcher, who was fatally shot 40 years ago from inside the Libyan embassy. Fletcher, 25, was policing a demonstration against the regime of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi when she was shot by men armed with submachine guns from the embassy’s windows. Flowers were laid at the memorial site where Fletcher died, and a ceremony concluded with the release of seven white doves in her honor. Despite efforts, no one has been brought to justice for Fletcher’s death, although a former Libyan minister was found “jointly liable” for the plan to use violence during the protest.
The former Libyan minister, Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk, denied responsibility for Fletcher’s murder and was arrested in London in 2015. However, the case was dropped two years later due to national security concerns. Mabrouk was later barred from the U.K. in 2019 over suspected involvement in war crimes and is currently believed to be in Libya. Fletcher’s colleague, John Murray, who promised to find those responsible for her murder, announced at the memorial that campaigners have launched a fundraising campaign for a private criminal prosecution and an extradition request for Mabrouk to stand trial in the U.K.
Murray described the killing of Yvonne Fletcher as one of the worst atrocities executed by Moammar Gadhafi, whose regime was linked to various terrorist acts. Gadhafi was killed by opposition fighters in 2011 during the NATO-backed Arab Spring, ending his four-decade rule of Libya. The country has since been divided between rival administrations and faced ongoing militia conflict. The Metropolitan Police in London stated that there are currently no active leads in the investigation into Fletcher’s murder, and the likelihood of finding further evidence is low. However, they reiterated that the case will never be closed, and any new relevant information will be assessed and investigated.
Mark Rowley, the commissioner for the Met, paid tribute to Yvonne Fletcher, acknowledging her sacrifice and promising to keep her family, friends, and colleagues in their thoughts. Fletcher’s family expressed gratitude to the Metropolitan Police for their ongoing support, choosing to spend the anniversary privately reflecting on the sister they knew and loved without media intrusion. The family also emphasized the importance of never forgetting Fletcher’s legacy and the pursuit of justice for her murder. The vigil and memorial for Constable Yvonne Fletcher served as a poignant reminder of the dedicated officer’s life and the ongoing quest for accountability in her tragic death.
