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Libya sentences Swiss men to jail Libya sentences Swiss men to jail
(about 11 hours later)
Libya has sentenced two Swiss businessmen to 16 months in jail amid a row over the arrest last year of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's son in Geneva.Libya has sentenced two Swiss businessmen to 16 months in jail amid a row over the arrest last year of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's son in Geneva.
Max Goeldi and Rachid Hamdani, detained since July 2008, were convicted of immigration offences.Max Goeldi and Rachid Hamdani, detained since July 2008, were convicted of immigration offences.
Libya has said their trial and the Swiss "aggression" against Col Gaddafi's son Hannibal are not linked. Analysts are linking the trial with the arrest of Hannibal Gaddafi - though Libyan officials deny this.
Hannibal Gaddafi and his wife were briefly held in Geneva in 2008 over allegations of abusing two servants. Mr Gaddafi and his wife were held in 2008 accused of abusing two servants - charges that were later dropped.
The charges were later dropped, but the case angered Tripoli.
Their arrest sparked retaliatory measures from Libya, including cancelling oil supplies, withdrawing billions of dollars from Swiss banks, refusing visas to Swiss citizens and recalling some of its diplomats.Their arrest sparked retaliatory measures from Libya, including cancelling oil supplies, withdrawing billions of dollars from Swiss banks, refusing visas to Swiss citizens and recalling some of its diplomats.
The BBCs Rana Jawad, in Tripoli, says the reaction to his arrest was unprecedented.
She says Libya is still a country that enjoys exerting its influence on the world stage and analysts are suggesting the jailing of the businessmen could be a simple show of power.
Libyan officials said the Swiss businessmen were also fined 2,000 dinars ($1,700; £1,000) each, but had the right to appeal.Libyan officials said the Swiss businessmen were also fined 2,000 dinars ($1,700; £1,000) each, but had the right to appeal.
It is believed they will be tried for tax evasion and failure to comply with business laws later in the month.It is believed they will be tried for tax evasion and failure to comply with business laws later in the month.
The case has sparked outrage in Switzerland, and the government has been criticised for its handling of the affair.The case has sparked outrage in Switzerland, and the government has been criticised for its handling of the affair.
Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz visited Tripoli in August and issued a public apology for the arrest of Hannibal Gaddafi.Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz visited Tripoli in August and issued a public apology for the arrest of Hannibal Gaddafi.
But he failed to secure the return of Hamdani, a construction company employee, and Goeldi, Libyan operations manager of engineering firm ABB.But he failed to secure the return of Hamdani, a construction company employee, and Goeldi, Libyan operations manager of engineering firm ABB.