Fighters capture Gadhafi's son in the desert, officials say
Source: Agencies |
November 20, 2011, Sunday
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MOAMMAR Gadhafi's son and heir apparent Saif al-Islam has been detained in the southern desert, Libya's interim justice minister and other officials said yesterday.
Fighters from the western mountain city of Zintan claimed his capture as gunfire and car horns marked jubilation across the country at the seizure of the British-educated 39-year-old who a year ago seemed set for a dynastic succession to rule.
He and three armed companions were taken without a fight, officials said, and Saif al-Islam was not injured -- unlike his father, who was killed a month ago after being captured by fighters in his home town.
"We have arrested Saif al-Islam Gadhafi in (the) Obari area," Justice Minister Mohammed al-Alagy said, adding that the younger Gadhafi, wanted for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court at The Hague, was not injured.
The Zintan fighters, one of the powerful militia factions holding ultimate power in a country still without a government, said they planned to hold on to him in Zintan, until there is an administration to hand him over to.
Prime minister-designate Abdurrahim El-Keib is scheduled to form a government by Tuesday, and the fate of Saif al-Islam, whom Libyans want to try at home before, possibly, handing him over to The ICC, will be an early test of its authority.
Moammar Gadhafi's beating, abuse and ultimate death in the custody of former rebel fighters was an embarrassment to the previous transitional government. Officials in Tripoli said they were determined to handle his son's case with more order.
A fighter from the Khaled bin al-Waleed Brigade, which said it seized him in the wilderness near the oil town of Obari told Free Libya television: "We got a tip he had been staying there for the last month.
"They couldn't get away because we had a good plan," Wisam Dughaly added, saying Saif al-Islam had been using a 4x4 vehicle: "He was not hurt and will be taken safely for trial so Libyans will be able to prosecute him and get back their money.
"We will take him to Zintan for safekeeping to keep him alive until a government is formed and then we will hand him over as soon as possible," Dughaly said.
He added that Saif al-Islam appeared to have been hiding out in the desert since fleeing the tribal bastion of Bani Walid, near Tripoli, in October.
Fighters from the western mountain city of Zintan claimed his capture as gunfire and car horns marked jubilation across the country at the seizure of the British-educated 39-year-old who a year ago seemed set for a dynastic succession to rule.
He and three armed companions were taken without a fight, officials said, and Saif al-Islam was not injured -- unlike his father, who was killed a month ago after being captured by fighters in his home town.
"We have arrested Saif al-Islam Gadhafi in (the) Obari area," Justice Minister Mohammed al-Alagy said, adding that the younger Gadhafi, wanted for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court at The Hague, was not injured.
The Zintan fighters, one of the powerful militia factions holding ultimate power in a country still without a government, said they planned to hold on to him in Zintan, until there is an administration to hand him over to.
Prime minister-designate Abdurrahim El-Keib is scheduled to form a government by Tuesday, and the fate of Saif al-Islam, whom Libyans want to try at home before, possibly, handing him over to The ICC, will be an early test of its authority.
Moammar Gadhafi's beating, abuse and ultimate death in the custody of former rebel fighters was an embarrassment to the previous transitional government. Officials in Tripoli said they were determined to handle his son's case with more order.
A fighter from the Khaled bin al-Waleed Brigade, which said it seized him in the wilderness near the oil town of Obari told Free Libya television: "We got a tip he had been staying there for the last month.
"They couldn't get away because we had a good plan," Wisam Dughaly added, saying Saif al-Islam had been using a 4x4 vehicle: "He was not hurt and will be taken safely for trial so Libyans will be able to prosecute him and get back their money.
"We will take him to Zintan for safekeeping to keep him alive until a government is formed and then we will hand him over as soon as possible," Dughaly said.
He added that Saif al-Islam appeared to have been hiding out in the desert since fleeing the tribal bastion of Bani Walid, near Tripoli, in October.
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