Qaddafi’s Son Seif al-Islam Captured
Seif al-Islam Qaddafi
Libyan Qaddafi family comes into the spotlight again as the National Transitional Council on Saturday announced the capture of Seif al-Islam, the son of Muammar al-Qaddafi, he who was considered by many the heir apparent to his father’s regime. The NTC troops said that he was caught at the end of a firefight in the oasis town of Obari, weeks after the gruesome demise of his father, who was killed at the end of the siege of Sirte.
Seif al-Islam had announced soon after the killing of his father that he was considering surrender to the International Criminal Court, where he was wanted for accusations of participating in the crackdown that determined the NATO air forces to install a no-fly zone on Libya.
Cries of joy were heard in the capital of the country, Tripoli, as the news about the presidential son capture got out. NTC troopers report that Seif was slightly wounded by the attack that led to his capture.
Seif al-Islam is to be taken by helicopter to the city of Zintan, in the Western Mountains, where he is to be held until he is transferred to The Hague, where he is to stand on trial for accusations of crimes against humanity, including murder and persecution.
There are people in Libya who want Seif judged in their country, but the regime in power now cannot guarantee yet a fair trial for the members of the former leading family. On the other hand, ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo said that if he was to be brought to justice in the Netherlands, he would be offered protection and a fair trial.
The chief prosecutor had said on November 9 that Seif’s arrest was not a matter of if but one of when. ICC investigators are expected to go to Libya and collect more evidence about the presidential son.
Considered a possible reformer of the regime, Seif al-Islam was educated at the London School of Economy, and has often put up a Western-like appearance. He is considered the one to know about his father’s secret accounts, that could total a large amount of money.
