Gaddafi and his sons raped female bodyguards: Report

Five women who formed a part of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's select unit of female bodyguards have claimed that they were raped and abused by the now ousted dictator and his sons.

According to News.com.au, the former bodyguards told a Benghazi-based psychologist they were raped and abused before being tossed aside once the men became 'bored' with them.

"The women would be first raped by the dictator and then passed on, like used objects, to one of his sons and eventually to high-ranking officials for more abuse before eventually being let go," the Sunday Times of Malta said.

According to the paper, a woman said she was blackmailed into joining Gaddafi's female bodyguard unit after the regime fabricated a story that her brother was caught smuggling drugs into Libya, and he would be imprisoned unless she agreed to join the brigade.

Since the early 1970s his female bodyguards, known as his Amazonian guard, always surrounded Gaddafi. They wore camouflage outfits, nail polish and heavy mascara.

The cadre of 30 women pledged oaths of loyalty to him, including a vow of virginity, the report added.

The details are reportedly being collected by psychologist, Seham Sergewa, for possible use by the International Criminal Court, which has issued a warrant for the arrest of Gaddafi and his top associates for suspected war crimes.

The psychologist is also reportedly investigating claims of systematic rape said to have been committed by pro-Gaddafi soldiers during the conflict.