Gaddafi’s Son Sentenced To Death

 

Saif Gaddafi is being held in the southern town of Zintan by a rebel group who opposes the government in Tripoli. The Zintani rebels say that they would not execute him or hand him over to the court.

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Saif Gaddafi, son of former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi Telegraph UK
On Tuesday, the son of former dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi was sentenced to death by a court in Libya. Saif al Islam Gaddafi, who was present in the court by video stream, was one of nine Libyans sentenced to death during a mass trial in Tripoli. Saif Gaddafi, along with the nine others, were accused of murder and inciting genocide during the country's 2011 uprising.
Muammar Gaddafi's 42 year regime was brought to an end by a six month uprising and a subsequent civil war which saw the US and NATO partners carrying out airstrikes against the Gaddafi regime. Gaddafi was later killed by the Libyan rebel forces after capturing him from a hiding place under a highway.
Since Gaddafi’s death, Libya has been a country in great turmoil and without a central governing authority. Two warring factions each claim to be the legitimate rulers of Libya. An internationally recognized parliament is based in Tobruk, while the capital Tripoli is held by its rivals, Libya Dawn.
Saif Gaddafi is being held in the southern town of Zintan by a rebel group who opposes the government in Tripoli. The Zintani rebels say that they would not execute him or hand him over to the court.
More than 30 close associates of Colonel Gaddafi were tried for preventing peaceful demonstrations during the uprising. Eight other ex-officials received life sentences and seven were sentenced to 12 years imprisonment, according to chief investigator Sadiq al-Sur, four were acquitted.
Saif Gaddafi is also wanted by the International Criminal Court for Crimes Against Humanity. He was educated at the London School of Economics and was once expected to replace his father as Libya’s leader.

Tunisia In a State Of War- President

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi has declared a state of emergency after the recent attack on a beach hotel that killed 38 foreigners, saying that “the continued threat” the country faced left the country in “a state of war”.

Last week’s attack, three months after a deadly assault on the Bardo museum in Tunis, has shocked the North African country trying to emerge into a democracy after a 2011 revolution.

Tunisia’s emergency laws temporarily give the government more executive flexibility, hand the army and police more authority, and restrict certain rights such as those dealing with public assembly and detention.

“Due to the terrorism risk, and the regional context, and spread of terrorism, we have declared a state of emergency,” Essebsi said in a televised address.

“The continued threat we face leaves the country in a state of war, where we have to use all measures necessary.”

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An earlier state of emergency was lifted in March 2014, having been in force since longtime president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown in a 2011 revolution.

The development came as several Tunisian officials, including the governor of Sousse, were sacked after the massacre, an aide to the premier said on Saturday.

“Just as there have been security failures, there have also been political failures,” the prime minister’s communications adviser Dhafer Neji told the AFP news agency.