The 47-year-old Saadi Gaddafi was immediately departed on a plane to Istanbul, Andalou Agency reported. The Libyan authorities have released the son of the ex-leader Muammar Gaddafi who was deposed and killed during a 2011 uprising.
Saadi Gaddafi’s release resulted from negotiations that included senior tribal figures and Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. The former professional footballer was accused of crimes committed against protesters in 2011 and of killing Libyan football coach Bashir al-Rayani in 2005.
During the 2011 uprising, Muammar Gaddafi’s son fled for Niger but was extradited to Libya in 2014 and has been imprisoned in Tripoli ever since.
Earlier, the chief prosecutor reportedly asked for the execution of the decision relating to Saadi Gaddafi as soon as all the required conditions had been satisfied”. He was free to stay in the country or leave, the insider said.
Since the moment of Arab Spring’s start, Libya has suffered chaos while Muammar Gaddafi and three of his sons were also killed.
Ten years after uprising: Libya still in chaos
A ceasefire in 2020 ended factional fighting and paved the way for peace talks and the formation of a transitional government in March. Elections are planned for December.
Another source told the agency the negotiations also involved former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha.
In July the New York Times newspaper said it had interviewed Saadi’s brother, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, who was held for years in the town of Zintan, as his supporters indicate he will run in the upcoming presidential elections.
