Saif al-Islam Gaddafi seeks Hague trial

Col Gaddafi’s son has said he wants to be put on trial in The Hague, rather than in his home country, his lawyers have said.

Saif al-Islam said if he was executed after a trial in Libya then it would be tantamount to murder, according to documents submitted to the International Criminal Court. The 40-year-old is being held by militia in the city of Zintan. He has been indicted by the ICC for crimes against humanity.

Libya’s interim government has so far refused to hand him over for trial in the Netherlands, where the international court is based, arguing that he should face justice in his own country.

Col Gaddafi, whose autocratic rule lasted for 42 years, was killed in unclear circumstances after being captured by rebels in October, in an act criticised by rights groups.