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Saif Gaddafi Captured Trying to Escape to Niger

16 November, 2011 04:12:00 The North Africa Journal

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The North Africa Journal | The ruthless Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the killed Libyan dictator Muamar Gaddafi was captured somewhere between Obari and Sabha, in the south of Libya. Saif was apparently preparing to cross to Niger.

The capture occurred without a fight from the Saif gang. The arrest was confirmed by Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Raheem al-Keeb during a news conference on Saturday evening. Al Keeb pledged Saif will face trial.

Saif is currently in Zintan pending a transfer to a central authority, which is expected to trial him, before potentially handing him over to the International Criminal Court.

Al Jazeera reports that Wisam Dughaly, a fighter from the Khaled bin al-Waleed Brigade, said Saif al-Islam was seized in the wilderness near the oil town of Ubari. "We got a tip he had been staying there for the last month. They couldn't get away because we had a good plan," Dughaly told Free Libya television, adding that Saif al-Islam had been using 4x4 vehicle to elude captors.

Dughaly continued: "He was not hurt and will be taken safely for trial so Libyans will be able to prosecute him and get back their money. "We will take him to Zintan for safekeeping to keep him alive until a government is formed and then we will hand him over as soon as possible."

Acting justice minister Alagy told Al Jazeera: "We Libyans do not oppose the presence of international monitors to monitor the trial procedures that will take place for the symbols of the former regime." Watch the TV report below