This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40236808
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Gaddafi's son Saif 'freed' in Libya | Gaddafi's son Saif 'freed' in Libya |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, second son of the late deposed Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi, is said to have been freed under an amnesty, in a move which could fuel further instability. | Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, second son of the late deposed Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi, is said to have been freed under an amnesty, in a move which could fuel further instability. |
| His father's preferred successor, he had been held by a militia in the town of Zintan for the past six years. | His father's preferred successor, he had been held by a militia in the town of Zintan for the past six years. |
| The Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Battalion said he had been released on Friday but he has not been shown in public. | The Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Battalion said he had been released on Friday but he has not been shown in public. |
| Local reports suggest he is now in the eastern city of Bayda with relatives. | Local reports suggest he is now in the eastern city of Bayda with relatives. |
| The militia group said it was acting on a request from the "interim government". | The militia group said it was acting on a request from the "interim government". |
| That government - based in the east of the country - had already offered amnesty to Saif al-Islam. | That government - based in the east of the country - had already offered amnesty to Saif al-Islam. |
| However, he has been sentenced to death in absentia by a court in Tripoli, the west of the country, where control is in the hands of the rival, UN-backed Government of National Accord. | However, he has been sentenced to death in absentia by a court in Tripoli, the west of the country, where control is in the hands of the rival, UN-backed Government of National Accord. |
| Previous reports of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi's release proved to be false. | Previous reports of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi's release proved to be false. |
| Another unpredictable element: analysis by Orla Guerin, BBC News, Tripoli | Another unpredictable element: analysis by Orla Guerin, BBC News, Tripoli |
| If confirmed, the release of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi would add another unpredictable element to Libya's unstable mix. | If confirmed, the release of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi would add another unpredictable element to Libya's unstable mix. |
| He was detained in the desert in November 2011 trying to flee to Niger, and later appeared missing several fingers. | He was detained in the desert in November 2011 trying to flee to Niger, and later appeared missing several fingers. |
| The former playboy often appeared in the West as the public face of the Gaddafi regime and was his father's heir-apparent. | The former playboy often appeared in the West as the public face of the Gaddafi regime and was his father's heir-apparent. |
| While reviled by many - at home and abroad - he retains some support in Libya and could try to re-enter the political fray here. | While reviled by many - at home and abroad - he retains some support in Libya and could try to re-enter the political fray here. |
| He is also wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity during his father's unsuccessful attempts to put down the rebellion. | He is also wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity during his father's unsuccessful attempts to put down the rebellion. |
| The 44-year-old - who was controversially granted a PhD by the London School of Economics in 2008 - was captured in November 2011 after three months on the run following the end of Gaddafi's decades-long rule. | The 44-year-old - who was controversially granted a PhD by the London School of Economics in 2008 - was captured in November 2011 after three months on the run following the end of Gaddafi's decades-long rule. |
| He was previously known for playing a key role in building relations with the West after 2000, and had been considered the reformist face of his father's regime. | He was previously known for playing a key role in building relations with the West after 2000, and had been considered the reformist face of his father's regime. |
| But after the 2011 uprising, he found himself accused of incitement to violence and murdering protesters. Four years later, he was sentenced to death by firing squad following a trial involving 30 of Gaddafi's close associates. | But after the 2011 uprising, he found himself accused of incitement to violence and murdering protesters. Four years later, he was sentenced to death by firing squad following a trial involving 30 of Gaddafi's close associates. |
| Saif al-Islam: Heir to prisoner |