Son of Libya’s ex-president Saadi Gaddafi released from prison

Saadi Kadhafi, the son of slain Libyan dictator uammar Gaddafi, sits dressed in prison blues waiting before trial in a courthouse in the Libyan capital Tripoli on March 13, 2016 [MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP via Getty Images]

Libyan authorities released Saadi Gaddafi, the son of former leader Muammar Gaddafi, a government official said.

During the 2011 uprising, Saadi Gaddafi fled for Niger but was extradited to Libya in 2014 and has been imprisoned in Tripoli ever since.

A spokesman for Libya’s National Unity Government, Muhammad Hammouda, confirmed in a statement Saadi’s release, saying reconciliation can only be achieved by establishing justice and complying with judicial rulings.

Well-informed sources told Al-Quds Al-Arabi news site that Saadi Gaddafi immediately left Libya after his release, heading to Istanbul on board a private plane.

Saadi, a footballer, was accused of crimes committed against protesters in 2011 and of the 2005 killing of Libyan football coach Bashir Al-Rayani.

In April 2018, the court of appeal acquitted him of Al-Rayani’s murder.

READ: Gaddafi’s son’s trial adjourned for a 12th time

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