New Delhi: Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the most prominent son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and a once-influential political figure, has been killed,
according his lawyer and Libyan media reports.
While details surrounding the circumstances of his death were not immediately clear, his lawyer, Khaled el-Zaydi, and family associates confirmed the death, while local broadcasters said the incident was reported on February 3. Some Libyan media outlets said the killing took place at his residence in Zintan and involved unidentified attackers, though there is no official confirmation of those claims yet.
Four masked gunmen attack his residence
According to a statement from his political team, four masked gunmen entered his residence, disabled security cameras, and shot him after a confrontation. Authorities in Libya have opened an investigation into the killing.
Saif al-Islam played a key role in Libyan public life during the later years of his father’s rule and was seen as an important intermediary with Western governments in the 2000s. His influence declined after the 2011 uprising that toppled the Gaddafi government.
In 2015, a Libyan court sentenced him to death in absentia on charges linked to the suppression of peaceful protests during the 2011 revolution. He was also provisionally charged by the International Criminal Court with crimes against humanity.
Life after fall of Gaddafi regime
Following the fall of the Gaddafi regime, Saif al-Islam was captured by a militia in the north-western city of Zintan, where he was held for nearly six years. His movements and whereabouts were largely unclear after his release.
In 2021, he registered as a candidate for Libya’s planned presidential election, which was later postponed indefinitely amid political deadlock and security concerns.
