After a Decade in Detention, Hannibal Gaddafi Released by Lebanese Authorities
BEIRUT – Hannibal Gaddafi, the son of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been released from custody in Lebanon, bringing an end to his nearly ten-year imprisonment. His departure from the Lebanese capital was confirmed by officials on Tuesday.
The 47-year-old had been held in Lebanon since 2015 after he was kidnapped from neighboring Syria by Lebanese militants seeking information about the fate of prominent Lebanese Shia cleric Imam Musa al-Sadr. Al-Sadr and two companions disappeared during a trip to Libya in 1978, a mystery that has long strained relations between the two nations.
Hannibal Gaddafi was not formally charged with a crime in connection to the al-Sadr case but was held on charges of withholding information. His detention was repeatedly extended by Lebanese judges, despite the lack of a formal indictment.
His release comes after prolonged legal battles and heightened political negotiations. A Lebanese judicial official stated the release was ordered by the country’s military prosecutor, citing the expiration of legal grounds for his continued detention and time already served.
The case of Hannibal Gaddafi has been a persistent and contentious issue between Lebanon and Libya. Lebanese factions, particularly the Shia community, have continuously pressured the Libyan government for answers regarding al-Sadr’s disappearance.
There was no immediate comment from Hannibal Gaddafi or his representatives regarding his future plans. His release is expected to have significant political ramifications in Lebanon and may open a new chapter in the strained diplomatic relations with Libya.
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