Tripoli: Libya was yesterday set to question Muammar Gaddafi’s former spy chief Abdullah Al Sanussi following his extradition from Mauritania as the US and rights groups urged that he receive a fair trial.
Al Sanussi is wanted by the Hague-based International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity but was extradited to his home country on Wednesday.
The fugitive’s extradition from Mauritania, where he was arrested in March as he tried to enter the country from Morocco using a Malian passport under a different name, was first announced by Mauritanian state television.
Washington swiftly urged Libya to ensure that the former spy chief gets a fair trial, but stopped short of insisting he be handed over to the ICC.
“It will be critical that Libya take all necessary steps to ensure that he’s held securely, treated humanely and tried fairly in full compliance with Libya’s international obligations,” US State Department deputy spokesman Patrick Ventrell said.
“We think it’s important that he’s held to account, whether that’s in a Libyan setting or otherwise,” he added.
