Libya: Saif al-Islam Gadhafi Captured, Could be Sent to I.C.C.
With rebels now in control of most of Tripoli, two of Muammar Gadhafi's sons have been captured in the Libyan capital. Saif al-Islam and Saadi Gadhafi were arrested and are being detained, Libya’s National Transitional Council said Sunday.
Additionally, Muhammad Gadhafi has allegedly turned himself over to rebels.
Saif al-Islam is perhaps the most famous of Gadhafi's children. At one time, the 39-year-old was heralded as the Western-educated, progressive future of Libya, but he is now wanted on war crimes charges for allegedly ordering the killing of unarmed protestors. The International Criminal Court has requested that Saif al-Islam be transferred to The Hague.
Saadi is a former national soccer player, who recently ventured into investing in Hollywood. He returned to Libya at the start of the conflict to lead a special forces unit.
Earlier this month, rebels claimed that Khamis Gadhafi was killed in a NATO airstrike on the city of Zlitan. Khamis led Libya's 32nd Brigade, a special forces unit that was not only regarded as the most loyal Libyan force, but also the best trained and equipped. NATO never confirmed the kill, and Khamis appeared on state television a week after his supposed death. It is unclear when the video was filmed.
The whereabouts of Colonel Gadhafi are still a mystery. He has not been seen in public since June, although he recently allegedly recorded an audio-address after rebels invaded the capital. There are still Gaddafi supporters in Tripoli, but the leader reportedly abandoned the city months ago.
Saif al-Arab Gadhafi, the Libyan leader's youngest son, was killed in a NATO bombing in May. Gadhafi had a total of eight children, including seven sons and a daughter.
It is likely that he is holed up in a military compound somewhere in Libya. His son Al-Mutassim Gadhafi is currently hiding in the Bab al-Azizya compound in Tripoli, according to al-Arabiya TV.
Gadhafi has repeatedly stated that he will not leave Libya, and that he would rather die than flee. Nonetheless, rumors that a fueled Venezuelan plane is sitting on a runway somewhere in the country belies his claim, and some suspect that Gadhafi may safely settle near his friend Hugo Chavez.
Former allies Italy and South Africa have also both denounced the Libyan leader, assuring the world that Gadhafi will find no asylum in either nation.
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