Trial of Gadafi’s Son Begins in Libya

The trial of Saif al-Islam, son of the deposed President Muamar Gadafi, accused of corruption and war crimes began in Libya.

Along with Saif al-Islam, other senior officials of the Gadafi government will be prosecuted, among them, the ex-Chief of Intelligence Abdullah al-Senussi and the former Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi.

Saif al-Islam, who is imprisoned in Zintan, in the southwest of Tripoli, since his capture in November 2012, was not present in the courts.

Against Gaddafi’s son, charges have been presented also in the in relation to a revolt in 2011 by the International Criminal Court, which was part of the events that led to the overthrow of his father.

Saif al-Islam said that he would prefer to be judged by an international tribunal rather than face the Libyan justice.

Many analysts point out that if found guilty by Libyan justice, al-Islam could be sentenced to death. However, the Libyan Government has assured that he will receive a fair trial.