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Qaddafi's son will get fair trial: Libyan PM | ||||||||
2011-11-20 | ||||||||
"I want to assure our people and all nations of the world that Saif and those with him will be given a fair trial, with the guarantees of local and international law -- those legal processes which our own people were deprived of," he told a news conference in the Western mountain town of Zintan, where Seif Al-Islam and several bodyguards had been taken. Seif Al-Islam, once favorite to succeed his late father, was arrested by fighters from Zintan, who make up one of Libya's most powerful militia factions. They said they would hold him until they could hand him over to the authorities. The West urged Libya's new rulers to give Seif Al-Islam a fair trial and work with the International Criminal Court to bring him to justice, fearing he might suffer the same fate as his father, who was beaten and shot dead after his capture.
"The Libyan government has told us again today that he will receive a trial in line with international standards, and it is important that this happens," he said in a statement. "Britain will offer every assistance to the Libyan government and the International Criminal Court to bring him to face full accountability and justice for what he has done."
"Seif Al-Islam must answer for his acts and face trial," the French foreign ministry said. Human rights activists said a trial by the ICC would send the right message to the international community that Libya is serious about protecting rights.
The court's chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, said he would visit Libya in a week to discuss the prosecution. But many Libyans want Seif Al-Islam tried at home, believing he knows the location of billions of dollars of public money amassed by the Qaddafi family. Libya's interim justice minister said the country would try him first, for crimes that carry the death penalty. "We are ready to prosecute Seif Al-Islam," Mohammed Al-Alagy said. "We have adopted enough legal and judicial procedures to ensure a fair trial for him."
Across Libya, Said Al-Islam's capture was celebrated. Keib, the incoming prime minister, thanked Libyans for their "struggle and historic heroism" that ousted the regime and captured Seif Al-Islam. "It is the crowning of the sacrifices of our people," he said. | ||||||||
Posted by:Steve White |
#6 I have no problem with the concept of a fair trial followed by a hanging. I do have a problem with the "Libyan Government". Still better than letting the Europeans getting in their knickers. I fate to be avoided at all costs. |
Posted by: kelly 2011-11-20 10:47 |
#5 Another job opens for Judge Mo "Roy" al Bean. |
Posted by: Muggsy Glink 2011-11-20 10:08 |
#4 he hoped it would "turn the page on the phase of revolution and will mark the beginning of the building of a state of freedom, law, justice and transparency Where have we heard this before? Typical BS you hear before a the new dictatorship becomes entrenched. |
Posted by: gorb 2011-11-20 09:01 |
#3 "they hang/shoot/behead him" Probably all three, Rambler. (I suspect they'll have to hang him before they behead him, but I'm not really an expert in that area. ;-p ) |
Posted by: Barbara 2011-11-20 08:50 |
#2 "Fair prosecution at the ICC will afford Libyans a chance to see justice served in a trial that the international community stands behind," Considering that the majority of the international community stands behind warrantless detention, sham trials, and arbitrary execution, I'm okay with this. Mike |
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2011-11-20 08:33 |
#1 They'll give him a fair trial before they hang/shoot/behead him. |
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2011-11-20 00:20 |