A group of protesters calling themselves Topple The Tyrants have broken into Saif Gaddafi's home in Hampstead, London, and are settling in for a stay.
The group have fixed banners to the roof that say "revolution" and "out of Libya, out of London".
Topple The Tyrant's spokesperson, Montgomery Jones, told the Guardian that the group contains people from the Middle East but no-one from Libya yet. Asked if they would consider future occupations of property, he said yes, if "they were owned by dictators, absolutely".
The multimillion-pound property in the affluent area of Hampstead, North London, has been described by the squatters as fully furnished in a "palatial" style. There are "flat screen TVs in almost every room. We've got them all tuned to Al Jazeera now."
Topple The Tyrants said they have taken this action to show their "solidarity with the people of Libya, the people of Cairo, the people of Saudi Arabia."
Squatting is defined as the unauthorised occupation of an abandoned or empty property.
The laws on squatting are complex. It is not a criminal offence in itself, however squatters can be removed by the police or the court. Landlords and owners of the property are not allowed to force entry when the property is occupied by squatters; however, obtaining an eviction order from the court is a lot easier than for paying tenants.
In addition, squatters can be prosecuted for any criminal damage they cause to the property, such as breaking a window or door to gain entry.
However, these squatters look like they are experienced in occupying other people's properties without permission. They have taped their legal rights as squatters to the front door, and a man wearing a yellow tabard with the words 'legal observer' written on the back show they are prepared and aware of the law in this area.
Related Links:
Read more on the story (the Guardian)
Learn more about the law on squatting (FindLaw)
Find local solicitors in your area (FindLaw)
