Verdict in Moussa Sadr’s Disappearance Case Set for Nov. 18
The in absentia trial of accused in the disappearance of Imam Moussa al-Sadr and his companions came to an end on Friday with the verdict set for November 18.
The accused include ousted Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
Regarded by Lebanon's Shiites as a key spiritual guide, Sadr vanished, amid mysterious circumstances and was last seen in Libya where he was invited by Gadhafi.
At the time, Sadr was trying to negotiate an end to the Lebanese civil war (1975-1990), in which Palestinian factions were involved.
Gadhafi was believed to be shipping weapons to the Palestinians and other groups and Sadr, according to reports, was hoping to convince the Libyan leader to refrain from stoking the unrest in Lebanon.
But his visit to Tripoli along with two aides, Mohammed Yacoub and Abbas Badreddine, took a sour turn after he got into a heated argument with Gadhafi who ordered that the three men be "taken away," according to an indictment against the Libyan leader issued by Lebanese authorities.
Libyan authorities have stated that the three officials left Tripoli to Italy, who after conducting an investigation in the matter denied the claims.
In 2004, the passports of Sadr and Yacoub were found in a hotel in Rome.
In August 2008, Lebanon issued arrest warrants against Gadhafi and some of his aides, accusing them of kidnapping Sadr and his companions.
Relations between Libya and Lebanon have been at a low point since the cleric's disappearance, which dealt a heavy blow to the Shiite community.
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