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Mauritania extradites Libya spy chief Abdullah al-Senussi Mauritania extradites Libya spy chief Abdullah al-Senussi
(about 1 hour later)
Mauritania has handed over Libya's former intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi, Libyan authorities confirm.Mauritania has handed over Libya's former intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi, Libyan authorities confirm.
Pictures on social media appeared to show a bearded Mr Senussi stepping down from a helicopter in Tripoli.Pictures on social media appeared to show a bearded Mr Senussi stepping down from a helicopter in Tripoli.
Libya has promised a fair trial for Mr Senussi, who is accused of crimes allegedly committed during his time as former leader Muammar Gaddafi's right-hand man.Libya has promised a fair trial for Mr Senussi, who is accused of crimes allegedly committed during his time as former leader Muammar Gaddafi's right-hand man.
He fled Libya after last year's uprising that toppled Col Gaddafi.He fled Libya after last year's uprising that toppled Col Gaddafi.
He is also wanted by France and the International Criminal Court (ICC).He is also wanted by France and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
"Abdullah al-Senussi will be have [sic] a fair trial according to international standards for human rights, the rights from which Libyans were deprived," Prime Minister Abdurrahim el-Keib told reporters in Tripoli. "Abdullah al-Senussi will have a fair trial according to international standards for human rights, the rights from which Libyans were deprived," Prime Minister Abdurrahim el-Keib told reporters in Tripoli.
Mr Senussi was arrested on arrival in Mauritania, sparking repeated requests from the Libyan government for his return. A spokesman for Libya's attorney general said Mr Senussi had undergone a routine medical check-up and was in good health. He added that the prosecutors would begin questioning him as soon as possible.
BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen says a key question is what he might reveal about extraordinary rendition - the process under which jihadist enemies of Col Gaddafi's Libya were sent back to Libya by the US and Britain.
Mr Senussi was arrested on his arrival in Mauritania in March, sparking repeated requests from the Libyan government for his return.
Mauritania had previously said he must first face charges of illegal entry.Mauritania had previously said he must first face charges of illegal entry.
"He was extradited to Libya on the basis of guarantees given by Libyan authorities," a Mauritanian government source told Reuters news agency, without giving details."He was extradited to Libya on the basis of guarantees given by Libyan authorities," a Mauritanian government source told Reuters news agency, without giving details.
According to reports, Mr Senussi was delivered to an official Libyan delegation headed by the minister of justice.According to reports, Mr Senussi was delivered to an official Libyan delegation headed by the minister of justice.
In the six months since Abdullah al-Senussi was arrested in Mauritania, there has been a tough fight over where he should be brought to justice.In the six months since Abdullah al-Senussi was arrested in Mauritania, there has been a tough fight over where he should be brought to justice.
As intelligence chief to former Libyan leader Col Gaddafi, Senussi is accused of playing a part in the bombing of a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, the bombing of a French airliner over Niger, and crimes within Libya including the notorious massacre at Abu Salim prison.As intelligence chief to former Libyan leader Col Gaddafi, Senussi is accused of playing a part in the bombing of a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, the bombing of a French airliner over Niger, and crimes within Libya including the notorious massacre at Abu Salim prison.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague claims jurisdiction, as do the French, and the Americans have an interest in bringing him to justice as well. But the Libyan authorities have won the battle to bring him to court.The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague claims jurisdiction, as do the French, and the Americans have an interest in bringing him to justice as well. But the Libyan authorities have won the battle to bring him to court.
The decision by Mauritania to send Senussi back to Libya is a particular blow to the ICC. It must make it even less likely that the court will win its fight to try Col Gaddafi's son, Seif al-Islam, at The Hague.The decision by Mauritania to send Senussi back to Libya is a particular blow to the ICC. It must make it even less likely that the court will win its fight to try Col Gaddafi's son, Seif al-Islam, at The Hague.
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says Mr Senussi's extradition to Libya is a blow for the ICC.The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says Mr Senussi's extradition to Libya is a blow for the ICC.
Not only has the court been trying to win custody of Mr Senussi, he says, it is also arguing that Col Gaddafi's son Seif al-Islam should also be brought to justice at the court.Not only has the court been trying to win custody of Mr Senussi, he says, it is also arguing that Col Gaddafi's son Seif al-Islam should also be brought to justice at the court.
MassacreMassacre
In March, Mr Senussi was arrested at Nouakchott airport in Mauritania after flying in from Morocco. He was disguised as a Tuareg chieftain and was carrying a fake passport.In March, Mr Senussi was arrested at Nouakchott airport in Mauritania after flying in from Morocco. He was disguised as a Tuareg chieftain and was carrying a fake passport.
He was later charged with illegally entering the country and using forged documents, and transferred to the civilian prison in Nouakchott. However, it is believed he has spent most of his time in Mauritania under house arrest at a private villa.He was later charged with illegally entering the country and using forged documents, and transferred to the civilian prison in Nouakchott. However, it is believed he has spent most of his time in Mauritania under house arrest at a private villa.
In June 2011, the ICC issued a warrant for Mr Senussi for crimes against humanity alleged to have been carried out in Benghazi, the main base of the Libyan opposition during the revolt last year.In June 2011, the ICC issued a warrant for Mr Senussi for crimes against humanity alleged to have been carried out in Benghazi, the main base of the Libyan opposition during the revolt last year.
France has already sentenced Mr Senussi to life imprisonment for the shooting down of a UTA airliner over Niger in 1989 in which 170 people were killed.France has already sentenced Mr Senussi to life imprisonment for the shooting down of a UTA airliner over Niger in 1989 in which 170 people were killed.
He has been accused of various human rights abuses including his alleged role in the 1996 massacre of more than 1,000 inmates at the Abu Salim prison in Tripoli.He has been accused of various human rights abuses including his alleged role in the 1996 massacre of more than 1,000 inmates at the Abu Salim prison in Tripoli.
He is alleged to have ordered guards standing on grated ceilings above the inmates to fire down on them, after riots broke out over demands for better food and conditions.He is alleged to have ordered guards standing on grated ceilings above the inmates to fire down on them, after riots broke out over demands for better food and conditions.
Mr Senussi is also believed to have information about Libyans kidnapped and assassinated abroad during Gaddafi's rule, and the financing of terrorist organisations, especially in Africa.Mr Senussi is also believed to have information about Libyans kidnapped and assassinated abroad during Gaddafi's rule, and the financing of terrorist organisations, especially in Africa.
Investigators in the US and UK also believe he may have further knowledge about the 1988 airliner bombing over Lockerbie in Scotland in which 270 people died. Investigators in the US and UK believe he may have further knowledge about the 1988 airliner bombing over Lockerbie in Scotland in which 270 people died.
Earlier this year, US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who led a delegation to the region, said Washington had a "particular interest" in seeing Mr Senussi arrested "because of his role with the Lockerbie bombing".Earlier this year, US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who led a delegation to the region, said Washington had a "particular interest" in seeing Mr Senussi arrested "because of his role with the Lockerbie bombing".