Saadi Gaddafi was released after being acquitted of charges related to the uprising against his father’s government
Libyan authorities released Saadi, one of the sons of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi, on Sunday after seven years in prison in the capital, Tripoli, a Libyan government spokesman was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
Mohammed Hamouda, a spokesman for the transitional government, said Saadi Gaddafi had been released from al-Hadaba prison, where many Gaddafi regime officials were being held pending trial, mainly in connection with the crackdown on the 2011 uprising. which overthrew the longtime dictator and led to his assassination.
Hamuda did not give details about the circumstances surrounding Saadi Gaddafi’s release, but said authorities had simply complied with a court order for his release two years ago.
According to local media, Saadi Gaddafi was released after being acquitted on charges related to the uprising against his father’s government. After his release, he left for Turkey, according to the Al Marsad news site.
During the 2011 uprising, he led a special forces brigade and took part in the crackdown on protesters and rebels.
During the collapse of his father’s regime, he fled through the Niger desert, but was extradited in 2014.
Under Muammar, Gaddafi Saadi was known for his luxurious life. He also viewed the Libyan football championship as his possession. Saadi played for several Libyan teams, as well as for an Italian one, before giving a positive test for banned substances.
In one case in 1996, Libyan security forces opened fire on visitors during a match in the presence of Saadi. He was also suspected of the 2005 assassination of popular Libyan footballer Bashir al-Riyani, an outspoken critic of Gaddafi’s regime.
Muammar Gaddafi had eight children. Three of his sons, Mutassim, Saif al-Arab and Khamis, died in the 2011 uprising. Saif al-Islam, the alleged heir to power under his father’s regime, has lived in Libya since his release in 2017. Another son of Gaddafi Hannibal is believed to be in prison in Lebanon.
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