Libya: court rules that Gaddafi son can be presidential candidate

People gather to protest against the candidacy application of Saif al-Islam al-Gaddafi, the son of former Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi and Khalifa Haftar for upcoming presidential election in Tripoli, Libya on 19 November 2021. [ Hazem Turkia – Anadolu Agency ]

A Libyan court has ruled that Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi, can be a candidate in the country’s presidential election due to be held on 24 December, Libya Al-Ahrar has reported. The court rejected an appeal by the High National Elections Commission against Gaddafi’s candidacy.

Now 49, Gaddafi was tried in absentia and found guilty of war crimes in 2015 and sentenced to death. He is also wanted by the International Criminal Court for “crimes against humanity”.

The Election Commission announced a preliminary list of candidates on 24 November, including renegade Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. His candidacy was challenged, and a court ruled last Tuesday that he must be excluded from the election.

READ: Why is Libya’s presidential race so overcrowded?

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