Lebanese Judge Grants Gaddafi’s Son $11 Million Bail
In a
dramatic turn of events that has reignited decades-old tensions between Lebanon
and Libya, a Lebanese judge has ordered the release of Hannibal Gaddafi, son of
the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, on an $11 million bail.
The decision, handed down on October 17, 2025, marks a significant development in a case that has lingered in the Lebanese judicial system for nearly a decade.
Hannibal
Gaddafi was arrested in Lebanon in 2015 under controversial circumstances.
Initially kidnapped by armed men in Syria and brought to Lebanon, he was
subsequently detained by Lebanese authorities who accused him of withholding
information about the disappearance of Lebanese Shiite cleric Musa al-Sadr.
Al-Sadr
vanished in 1978 during an official visit to Libya, along with two companions,
sparking a mystery that has haunted Lebanese politics ever since. At the time
of the disappearance, Hannibal was a child, yet Lebanese officials maintained
that he might possess crucial knowledge about the incident.
The
judge’s decision to grant bail came after a fresh round of questioning.
According
to judicial sources, the bail conditions include a travel ban, effectively
keeping Gaddafi within Lebanese borders. His legal team, led by French lawyer
Laurent Bayon, has strongly condemned the ruling, calling it “totally
unacceptable in a case of arbitrary detention.” Bayon emphasized that his
client is under international sanctions and lacks the financial means to pay
such a substantial sum, asking rhetorically, “Where do you want him to find $11
million?”
Human
Rights Watch had previously called for Gaddafi’s immediate release, arguing
that his detention was based on “apparently unsubstantiated allegations.”
The
organization also raised concerns about his deteriorating health, citing severe
depression and recent hospitalization for abdominal pain.
The case
continues to strain diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Libya. Musa
al-Sadr was the founder of the Amal Movement, now closely aligned with
Hezbollah. His disappearance has long been attributed to Muammar Gaddafi’s
regime, and successive Libyan governments have faced accusations of
non-cooperation in resolving the matter. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih
Berri, who succeeded al-Sadr as head of the Amal Movement, has repeatedly
criticized Libya’s stance.
Hannibal
Gaddafi, married to a Lebanese model, had fled to Syria before his abduction
and arrest. His release on bail, while not a full exoneration, signals a
potential shift in Lebanon’s handling of the case.
Whether
this move will lead to further legal challenges or diplomatic fallout remains
to be seen.
For now,
the spotlight returns to a decades-old mystery that continues to cast a shadow
over Lebanese-Libyan relations.
No comments:
Post a Comment