Probe launched into release of Gaddafi's son Saif

Beijing [China] June 12 : : An investigation has been initiated into the release of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son and one-time heir apparent of late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who was released on Sunday by Abu Bakr al-Seddiq Brigade,the Libyan militia group.

 Libyan Attorney General Ibrahim Masoud Ali said the public prosecutor's office has started an investigation into those involved in the release of imprisoned Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, a son of Libya's former leader Muammar Gaddafi.

"Based on the information regarding the release of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, who has been sentenced in absentia, he is wanted under the court order, so that he will be tried in accordance with the requirements of a fair trial," Xinhua quoted General Ibrahim Masoud Ali, as saying.

Saif al-Islam had been in custody since November 2011 by a militia group in Zintan, a town located to the southwest of the capital Tripoli,after his father Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and subsequently killed in an uprising in the North African country. Saif was accused of incitement to violence and murdering protesters during the 2011 unrest that toppled his father's



regime.

Ali said the public prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into Gaddafi's release, adding that "legal procedures, investigations and trial will include all those found to be involved in obstructing the implementation of the judicial rulings." Moreover, the suspect is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity," the statement added.

Saif al-Islam has been released after more than five years in detention, his captors said. In a statement late Saturday, the Abu Bakr al-Seddiq Brigade, which controls the western town of Zintan, said Gaddafi's son had been released from prison on Friday and left the town.

A court in Tripoli had sentenced Gaddafi to death along with some other officials of the former regime in 2015.But the eastern-based parliament granted him amnesty shortly after the sentence.

Saif was released as a part of recent pardon issued by the Libyan parliament based in the country's eastern region.

The parliament in the city of Tobruk is part of one of three rival administrations in Libya, shows the chaos that is still prevailing in the country since Gaddafi's ouster and death.