Gaddafi's ex-spy chief indicted in Mauritania

Nouakchott: The man who ran Libya's extensive spy network and was considered one of the closest confidants of ex-leader Muammar Gaddafi was indicted in Mauritania on Monday and transferred to a public jail, according to a justice official.

Abdullah Al Sanussi, Libya's former head of intelligence, is wanted by the International Criminal Court, as well as by France and Libya for crimes allegedly committed during his time at Gaddafi's side.

Malian passport

The judge in Mauritania is indicting Al Sanussi on a technicality, after the ex-spy chief tried to enter Mauritania disguised as a Tawareq chieftain, said the official.

On the run since the fall of Tripoli last year, Al Senussi attempted to enter the Nouakchott airport in March on a fake Malian passport, after boarding a flight from Morocco. He attempted to cross the passport control wearing the elaborate headdress and the flowing robes associated with the Tawareq nomads, an ethnic group that was closely allied with Gaddafi and who live in the band of countries including Mali located at the base of the Sahara Desert.The justice official said that Al Senussi is being indicted for "illegally entering Mauritania using false identity documents." The official said that the judge met the prosecutor as well as Al Senussi early on Monday to review the case, before deciding to go ahead with the indictment. The ex-spy chief was transferred to the central prison.

In Mauritania, indictments are issued during a secret proceeding, in which the judge meets with the prosecutor as well as with the accused. The matter becomes public once the trial opens.

The ex-spy chief was considered Gaddafi's "black box" and known to be among his inner circle of confidants. He was also the ousted leader's brother-in-law. He is wanted in Libya for a number of crimes