Al-Saadi Gaddafi, son of the late Muammar Gaddafi, was extradited last week to Libya from Niger, the country in which he had been seeking refuge since the fall of his father's regime in 2011.
Al-Saadi is suspected of trying to suppress the uprisings that took place during the year against Gaddafi's four-decade reign. More specifically, it is believed that al-Saadi lead a brigade of special-forces that was later involved in the crackdown against rebels. Other charges also include murder and theft of public money during the 1990s. Of Gaddafi's seven sons, al-Saadi is the second one to be ousted; his brother, Seif al-Islam was captured in 2011 and is being held by a militia in a mountain prison, as they refuse to hand him over to the central government for a proper trial.
Although his reputation is renowned mainly because of the name he carries, al-Saadi is mostly remembered for being extremely involved in soccer. Soccer is Libya's biggest sport, and al-Saadi was often the head of the soccer federation as well as its national team. In fact, al-Saadi even played for an Italian team until his career took a turn when he failed a drug test. His career was surrounded by skepticism and murky cases, one of which involved the killing of a proclaimed anti-Gaddafi soccer player, Bashir al-Riyani, and it was general-knowledge that al-Saadi's soccer career was mainly backed up by his father's wealth.
Niger had previously refused Libyan requests to extradite him, justifying this with the fact that he would be sure to face the death penalty should he return to Libya. But when Interpol issued a "red notice" for member states to arrest him, matters became even more serious and complicated for Niger.
When al-Saadi was sent back to Libya last week, the majority of the Libyan population was joyful, as many longed to see justice brought to one of the heirs of their former dictator. In the meantime, Libya has thanked Niger for its cooperation and has pledged that al-Saadi will be treated like any other suspect while within the boundaries of international justice standards for prisoners.
Libya has experienced much uncertainty and instability since Gaddafi's regime fell, which is why many wonder whether this extradition has come at a convenient time. In fact, it is rumored that this extradition may be serving as the perfect distraction while the government tries to bring stability to the country.
a global affairs media network
Video Wednesday: Al-Saadi Gaddafi Extradited
March 12, 2014
Al-Saadi Gaddafi, son of the late Muammar Gaddafi, was extradited last week to Libya from Niger, the country in which he had been seeking refuge since the fall of his father's regime in 2011.
Al-Saadi is suspected of trying to suppress the uprisings that took place during the year against Gaddafi's four-decade reign. More specifically, it is believed that al-Saadi lead a brigade of special-forces that was later involved in the crackdown against rebels. Other charges also include murder and theft of public money during the 1990s. Of Gaddafi's seven sons, al-Saadi is the second one to be ousted; his brother, Seif al-Islam was captured in 2011 and is being held by a militia in a mountain prison, as they refuse to hand him over to the central government for a proper trial.
Although his reputation is renowned mainly because of the name he carries, al-Saadi is mostly remembered for being extremely involved in soccer. Soccer is Libya's biggest sport, and al-Saadi was often the head of the soccer federation as well as its national team. In fact, al-Saadi even played for an Italian team until his career took a turn when he failed a drug test. His career was surrounded by skepticism and murky cases, one of which involved the killing of a proclaimed anti-Gaddafi soccer player, Bashir al-Riyani, and it was general-knowledge that al-Saadi's soccer career was mainly backed up by his father's wealth.
Niger had previously refused Libyan requests to extradite him, justifying this with the fact that he would be sure to face the death penalty should he return to Libya. But when Interpol issued a "red notice" for member states to arrest him, matters became even more serious and complicated for Niger.
When al-Saadi was sent back to Libya last week, the majority of the Libyan population was joyful, as many longed to see justice brought to one of the heirs of their former dictator. In the meantime, Libya has thanked Niger for its cooperation and has pledged that al-Saadi will be treated like any other suspect while within the boundaries of international justice standards for prisoners.
Libya has experienced much uncertainty and instability since Gaddafi's regime fell, which is why many wonder whether this extradition has come at a convenient time. In fact, it is rumored that this extradition may be serving as the perfect distraction while the government tries to bring stability to the country.
