From: Guardian.co.uk

Decision defies ICC demands that he face charges of war crimes at The Hague in order to ensure a fair trial


Libya will put deposed dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s son on trial, defying a demand by the international criminal court, the Libyan representative to The Hague court said on Monday.

Ahmed al-Jehani said the trial of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi will begin next month. One possible venue is Zintan, a town in the western mountains, where he is being held.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was considered his father’s political heir. The ICC issued an arrest warrant and demanded to try him on war crimes. Libya has argued that its new regime should try him.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was captured last year by a militia from Zintan, where he has been held ever since.

Local spokesman Khaled al-Zintani said a government delegation would inspect the town before a decision is made on whether to try him there.

The ICC has expressed concern that Libya is not set up to give the younger Gaddafi a fair trial. During his four decades of rule, Muammar Gaddafi dismantled most institutions, setting himself up as the sole ruler.

After Gaddafi’s overthrow, capture and killing last year, interim rulers struggled to unite the country, leaving powerful militias and tribes in control of various areas. A newly elected parliament is working on appointing a cabinet after choosing a president. Among its main tasks is to build a functioning judiciary.

Libya has insisted that it is capable of putting on a proper trial for Saif al-Islam Gaddafi. He has expressed a preference to be extradited to The Hague for trial.

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