The capture on Saturday of Saif Al Islam, the son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, is a notable success for the fledgling government in Tripoli. And unlike his father, who was shot dead in Sirte shortly after he was apprehended by fighters of the National Transitional Council, Saif was taken into custody relatively unscathed — his arm was injured about a month ago during a Nato air strike, reports say.
Saif was captured along with some armed comrades without a fight after a three-month manhunt in Libya's southern desert.
Prime Minister-designate Abdul Rahim Al Keeb is promising that Saif will face trial in Libya rather than being handed over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, which had issued arrest warrants for a number of senior Gaddafi administration officials for various crimes. Saif faces charges of committing crimes against humanity in trying to quell the revolution that toppled his father's regime.
Saif's capture is also an important key in unlocking billions in foreign assets squirrelled away by the Gaddafi family as Libya's people were deprived of basic freedoms and services.
Having Saif in custody represents an important victory for Libya's interim government. By bringing him to justice in Libya itself, the trial presents an opportunity for healing — and to show the international community that Libya has indeed turned the corner and respects the values of due process and justice.
It's also important that Saif is treated fairly as any failure in this regard would be a dark stain on the reputation of the new government. Indeed, his capture provides an opportunity for the various armed factions within Libya to put aside their power struggles and show a single, unified voice as the nation moves from the dark chapter of the past 42 years.
Justice must be seen to be done.
