Gaddafi’s son sentenced to death over war crimes

This file photo taken on April 27, 2014 shows Saif al-Islam Gaddafi on trial via video-conference software in a courtroom in Zintan, Libya. A Libyan court on Tuesday sentenced Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the former leader Muammar Gaddafi, to death, according to local judicial resources. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuan)

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, reports BBC.

More than 30 close associates of Gaddafi were tried for suppressing peaceful protests during the uprising.

Saif al-Islam was not in court, but has previously appeared via video link. He is being held by a former rebel group from the town of Zintan that refuses to hand him over. A Zintani source indicated to the BBC that they would not execute him or hand him over to the court.

They have the right to appeal against their sentences within 60 days.

In the years before the uprising, Saif al-Islam was known for trying to introduce political and economic reforms, says the BBC’s North African correspondent Rana Jawad. “But as people called for the fall of his father’s rule – he stood by him till the bitter end,” she added.

He is also wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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.

The defendants were accused of incitement to violence and murdering protesters during the revolution that eventually toppled Gaddafi.