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Gaddafi son offered asylum in Niger
November 12, 2011 - 12:16 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou said on Friday,
Nov 11 he had granted Muammar Gaddafi's son Saadi asylum on
humanitarian grounds but did not know the location of another fugitive
son Saif al-Islam, South African media reported.
The announcement will strain already troubled relations between Niger
and Libya's interim rulers, who overthrew Muammar Gaddafi after an
eight month uprising and want both sons to stand trial for alleged
atrocities.
Saadi, a businessman and former professional footballer, is in Niger
after escaping across the border from Libya when National Transitional
Council (NTC) forces captured the capital Tripoli in August.
"We have agreed on granting asylum to Saadi Gaddafi for humanitarian
reasons," the South African Press Association (SAPA) quoted Issoufou
telling a news conference at the end of a two-day visit to South
Africa.
Interpol has issued a "red notice" requesting member states to arrest
Saadi with a view to extradition if they find him on their territory.
Libya's interim justice minister on Friday questioned Niger's grounds
in granting asylum on humanitarian grounds, saying it was usually
given to people facing persecution in their own country.
"But al-Saadi has practiced persecution and incitement to murder. He
is accused of killing Tripoli football player and national team member
Bashir Al Rayan ... There is strong circumstantial evidence that he
was involved in that," Mohammed al-Alagi told Dubai-based Al Arabiya
television.
Issoufou said he did not know the location of Saif al-Islam who is
wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes
against humanity.
"Saif al-Islam is not in Niger. I would have to consider what to do if
he comes. We will deal with issues in terms of law and democracy and
international agreements," Issoufou said.
Niger is a member of the Hague-based global court and officially would
have to hand over Saif al-Islam if he arrived on its territory.
The ICC says it has been in indirect contact with Saif al-Islam to
discuss him giving himself up. He is believed to be deep in the Libyan
desert, Reuters reported.
November 12, 2011 - 12:16 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou said on Friday,
Nov 11 he had granted Muammar Gaddafi's son Saadi asylum on
humanitarian grounds but did not know the location of another fugitive
son Saif al-Islam, South African media reported.
The announcement will strain already troubled relations between Niger
and Libya's interim rulers, who overthrew Muammar Gaddafi after an
eight month uprising and want both sons to stand trial for alleged
atrocities.
Saadi, a businessman and former professional footballer, is in Niger
after escaping across the border from Libya when National Transitional
Council (NTC) forces captured the capital Tripoli in August.
"We have agreed on granting asylum to Saadi Gaddafi for humanitarian
reasons," the South African Press Association (SAPA) quoted Issoufou
telling a news conference at the end of a two-day visit to South
Africa.
Interpol has issued a "red notice" requesting member states to arrest
Saadi with a view to extradition if they find him on their territory.
Libya's interim justice minister on Friday questioned Niger's grounds
in granting asylum on humanitarian grounds, saying it was usually
given to people facing persecution in their own country.
"But al-Saadi has practiced persecution and incitement to murder. He
is accused of killing Tripoli football player and national team member
Bashir Al Rayan ... There is strong circumstantial evidence that he
was involved in that," Mohammed al-Alagi told Dubai-based Al Arabiya
television.
Issoufou said he did not know the location of Saif al-Islam who is
wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes
against humanity.
"Saif al-Islam is not in Niger. I would have to consider what to do if
he comes. We will deal with issues in terms of law and democracy and
international agreements," Issoufou said.
Niger is a member of the Hague-based global court and officially would
have to hand over Saif al-Islam if he arrived on its territory.
The ICC says it has been in indirect contact with Saif al-Islam to
discuss him giving himself up. He is believed to be deep in the Libyan
desert, Reuters reported.