Son of Libya’s Gadhafi Captured

Posted November 19th, 2011 at 10:45 am (UTC-5)
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Libyan military officials say they have captured alive Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, a fugitive son of the country's former leader Moammar Gadhafi.

A military spokesman said Saturday forces caught Seif al-Islam and several of his aides near the southern town of Obari. The town is near the border of Niger, which has already given asylum to his brother, Saadi.

Libyan officials say it appears as though Seif al-Islam's aides were trying to smuggle him into Niger. The country's president, Mahamadou Issoufou, said last week no decision had been made about what to do if he requested asylum.

Seif al-Islam reportedly has been transferred to the city of Zintan where he is being held. Following word of his arrest, Libya's National Transitional Council released a picture allegedly of Seif al-Islam showing him reclining on a bed with bandages wrapped around the fingers of his right hand.

Television video from Tripoli on Saturday showed Libyans celebrating news of Seif al-Islam's arrest. He is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity for helping to lead the crackdown on protests during his father's rule.

Last month, ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said the court had been in talks with Seif al-Islam about a possible surrender and making sure he gets a fair trial.

Moreno-Ocampo says he plans to travel to Libya soon to discuss with Libyan authorities where Seif al-Islam will be tried.

International rights groups are closely watching the process surrounding Seif al-Islam's detention, especially following the murky circumstances surrounding the capture and death of his father in custody last month.