Moammar Gadhafi Buried in Secret Location
Source: calgary.ctv.ca
A Libyan revolutionary fighter shows reporters the empty freezer in a commercial center where the body of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi was displayed, in Misrata, Libya, Tuesday Oct. 25, 2011. (AP / Francois Mori)
Former Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi was buried Tuesday in a low-key ceremony in a secret location.
Gadhafi’s son Moutassim and a top aide were also buried at the same time in the same location.
A few relatives and officials were in attendance as their remains were put to rest.
A text message from spokesperson Ibrahim Beitalmal, which was shown to The Associated Press, said Islamic prayers were read over the bodies in the simple ceremony.
A car from the convoy of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi with a placard written in Arabic ’The car of Moammar Gadhafi captured in Sirte by the Libyan Revolutionary Fighters of Misrata’ is displayed in Misrata, Libya, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011. (AP / Francois Mori)
Gadhafi’s body, along with that of his son and former defence minister Abu Bakr Younis, had been kept in a freezer on public display in Misrata over the weekend. Gadhafi and others were captured near Sirte, his hometown, on Thursday.
Gadhafi had long vowed he would die a martyr’s death on Libyan soil, but many believed he had fled to another country in recent months.
On Thursday National Transitional Council (NTC) fighters stormed Sirte and initially captured Gadhafi alive, along with his son Moutassim.
However, both Gadhafi and Moutassim died soon after under unclear circumstances.
Gadhafi died from a gunshot wound to the head, according to Libya’s chief pathologist Dr. Othman el-Zantani who performed autopsies on the father and son, as well as the defence minister.
Men stand in line to view the body of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, stored in a commercial freezer at a shopping center in Misrata, Libya, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. (AP / David Sperry)
El-Zantani said his full autopsy would be released later this week after he presents his findings to the attorney general.
NTC spokesperson Beitalman said the graves were being kept secret in order to protect them from being vandalized, however, international officials would be allowed to see the graves in order to confirm the burial, he said.
Gadhafi, who ruled Libya with an iron fist for more than 40 years, was reportedly found hiding in a culvert in Sirte, which became the last bastion for Gadhafi and his remaining loyal fighters.
He was reportedly carrying a golden handgun when he was caught by rebels. Photos emerged of a young man wearing a New York Yankees cap brandishing the gun, which Gadhafi was rumoured to carry with him wherever he went.
Source: ctv.ca
