4 masked gunmen, disabled safety cameras: How Muammar Gaddafi’s son Saif al‑Islam was assassinated in Libya

Saif al‑Islam Gaddafi, the second‑eldest son of former Libyan chief Muammar Gaddafi, has been killed in Libya, Libyan officers and household sources confirmed on Tuesday. He was 53.Libyan media, his lawyer Khaled el‑Zaydi, and political representatives confirmed that Saif al‑Islam was assassinated in his dwelling in Zintan, a city in north‑western Libya. In response to a press release from his political group, 4 masked gunmen entered his residence, disabled safety cameras, and shot him after a confrontation. Authorities in Libya have opened an investigation into the killing.Saif al‑Islam was as soon as thought-about the successor to his father’s regime, which dominated Libya for greater than 40 years earlier than being toppled in a Nato‑backed rebellion in 2011. At the moment, protests towards Muammar Gaddafi’s rule developed into civil struggle, resulting in his seize and loss of life. Saif al‑Islam performed a number one function within the authorities earlier than 2011, and was seen by some as a possible reformer, whilst he supported harsh measures to suppress dissent through the rebellion.After the autumn of his father’s regime, Saif al‑Islam was captured by anti‑Gaddafi fighters in late 2011 whereas trying to flee towards Niger. He was held by a militia in Zintan for a number of years. In 2015, a Libyan court docket sentenced him to loss of life in absentia in Tripoli on prices together with violent repression through the rebellion, though he remained in Zintan. The Worldwide Prison Courtroom (ICC) additionally issued a warrant for his arrest on prices of struggle crimes and crimes towards humanity, allegations tied to his actions through the 2011 battle.After his launch from captivity below a 2017 amnesty, Saif al‑Islam re‑emerged in Libyan political life. In 2021 he introduced his candidacy for the presidency, however the elections have been postponed amid ongoing political divisions and his bid was disqualified by Libya’s election authorities.