Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam killed in Zintan assassination

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

ZINTAN, LIBYA — Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and once considered the heir apparent to the regime, has been killed in an armed attack at his residence in the western city of Zintan.

Security sources confirmed that the 53-year-old was targeted at his home, located approximately 136 kilometers southwest of the capital, Tripoli. His death marks a significant turning point in the fractured North African nation, which has struggled with instability since the 2011 uprising that ousted his father.

Confirmation and investigation

The assassination was officially confirmed by Gaddafi's lawyer, Khalid al-Zaydi, and his representative in the UN-backed political dialogue process, Abdullah Osman Abdurrahim.

Speaking to local media, Abdurrahim provided details of the incident: "An armed group killed Saif al-Islam Gaddafi in his home in Zintan. The prosecutor's office is currently conducting a comprehensive investigation into the murder." As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

From heir apparent to fugitive

Educated at the London School of Economics, Saif al-Islam was long viewed as the reformist face of his father's regime before the 2011 revolution changed his fate. Following his father's death, he was captured in Zintan while attempting to flee to neighboring Niger and was held there until his release under a general amnesty in 2017.

His legal status remained contentious; in 2015, a Tripoli court sentenced him to death in absentia for inciting the killing of protesters. He was also wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity. Despite these legal hurdles, his announcement of a presidential bid in 2021 sparked widespread controversy and was ultimately rejected by election authorities.

Impact on Libya's future

Libya has failed to find stability since 2011, plagued by power struggles between rival administrations and armed militias. The death of Saif al-Islam removes a polarizing but significant figure from the political landscape, potentially altering the delicate balance of power and adding new uncertainty to the country's stalled electoral process.

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Source: Euronews