Libya Interim Premier Says Seif al-Islam to Get 'Fair Trial'
Libya's interim Prime Minister Abdel Rahim al-Kib said Saturday that Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the son of the slain leader of Libya, will be given a "fair trial."
"I reassure our people and the world that Seif, and those with him, will be given a fair trial in which international rights and norms will be guaranteed," Kib told a news conference in Zintan after formally announcing the arrest of Moammar Gadhafi's favorite son.
Seif al-Islam is wanted by the International Criminal Court.
Kib did not clearly say if Seif al-Islam would be tried in Libya or at the ICC.
"The judicial authorities will communicate with the International Criminal Court to examine where Seif al-Islam must be tried," he said.
"Any cooperation with international institutions is welcome," he added implying that they would like him to be tried in Libya.
World powers have urged Libya's interim rulers to cooperate with the ICC.
Kib described the capture of Seif al-Islam a "historic" day.
"The arrest of Seif al-Gadhafi crowns the sacrifices made by our great people," he said in reference to the uprising that ended the 42-year rule of Moammar Gadhafi.
"On this historic occasion I congratulate the men and women of Libya and the thwart (revolutionaries) of Libya," said Kib, adding he hoped that Seif's capture would mark a new start for Libya.
He said Seif al-Islam was "under the control of the Zintan thwar" responsible for his arrest.
News of Seif al-Islam's capture was reported earlier by Mohammed al-Allagui, justice minister in the National Transitional Council, who told Agence France Presse he had been arrested in southern Libya without offering further details.
Meanwhile the head of the brigade which arrested Seif al-islam said that Gadhafi's son asked his captors "to fire a bullet to his head and take him (dead) to Zintan."
Source: Agence France Presse
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