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Libya trial: Gaddafi son sentenced to death over war crimes Libya trial: Gaddafi son sentenced to death over war crimes
(about 1 hour later)
A court in Libya has sentenced Col Muammar Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, and eight others to death over war crimes linked to the 2011 revolution. A court in Libya has sentenced Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of deposed leader Col Muammar Gaddafi, and eight others to death over war crimes linked to the 2011 revolution.
More than 30 close associates of the deposed leader were on trial, accused of suppressing protests during the uprising. More than 30 close associates of Col Gaddafi were tried for suppressing peaceful protests during the uprising.
Saif al-Islam was not present in court and gave evidence via video link.Saif al-Islam was not present in court and gave evidence via video link.
He is being held by a former rebel group from the town of Zintan that refuses to hand him over.He is being held by a former rebel group from the town of Zintan that refuses to hand him over.
Former head of intelligence for the Gaddafi regime, Abdullah al-Senussi, is among those also facing the death penalty, as is former PM Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi. Former head of intelligence for the Gaddafi regime, Abdullah al-Senussi, is among those also facing death by firing squad, as is former PM Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi.
Saif al-Islam is also wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.Saif al-Islam is also wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Prosecutors say that he was part of his father's plans to "quell, by all means, the civilian demonstrations against the Gaddafi regime".Prosecutors say that he was part of his father's plans to "quell, by all means, the civilian demonstrations against the Gaddafi regime".
Murder and kidnapMurder and kidnap
Saif al-Islam will be given the right to appeal the death sentence, according to the BBC's John Simpson, who is in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. Saif al-Islam will be given the right to appeal against the death sentence, according to the BBC's John Simpson, who is in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
Why is Libya lawless?Why is Libya lawless?
West's light touch failed LibyaWest's light touch failed Libya
The trial, which opened last year, has been dogged by criticism from human rights agencies. The trial, which opened last year, has been dogged by criticism from human rights agencies, who are concerned about the fairness of Libya's judicial system.
Other defendants have received sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment. Eight other ex-officials received life sentences and seven were given jail terms of 12 years each, said chief investigator Sadiq al-Sur. Four were acquitted.
They faced charges including murder, kidnap and embezzlement, during the uprising that eventually toppled Col Gaddafi. The defendants were accused of incitement to violence and murdering protesters during the uprising that eventually toppled Col Gaddafi.
Since his overthrow Libya has been plagued by instability. Since his death Libya has been plagued by instability, and currently has no single government.
It currently has no single government, with two rival factions - one in Tobruk and one in Tripoli - each claiming to run the country. Instead two warring factions each claim to run the country. An internationally recognised parliament is based in Tobruk, while Tripoli is held by rivals Libya Dawn.
Saif al-Islam has been held in the mountainous town of Zintan since the end of the war, by rebels who are allied to the Tobruk-based government.
Libya's rival power bases