Lebanese al-Jadeed website reported Syria’s Ministry of Justice has requested Lebanon’s general prosecutor to transfer Hannibal Gaddafi, son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, back to Syria.
The message, which was published by al-Jadeed, stated that the Assad regime has granted Gaddafi "political asylum” in Syria.
"We enclose herewith the message of the First General Lawyer in Damascus, dated 15.12.2015, about the kidnapping of Hannibal Muammar Gaddafi by an unknown armed terrorist group, and smuggling him illegally to Lebanon. Hannibal has legally resided in the Syrian Arab Republic after being granted political asylum. We hope the Lebanese authorities will hand him over to the Syrian authorities," the message said.
The message was signed by Syria’s Attorney General, judge Khalaf Hussein al-Azzawi, and verified with the official Ministry of Justice seal.
Lebanese security sources reported on December 11 that Hannibal Gaddafi was released hours after he was kidnapped in Lebanon, while AP agency reported from Lebanese security officials that Gaddafi's son was released in Baalbek and transferred to Beirut.
In a recorded video, Gaddafi appeared with signs of torture on his face, saying: "Do not be afraid about me", adding, "anyone who has evidence about Musa Sadr should come forward, enough injustice and suffering."
Lebanon’s Shiite community holds Hannibal’s father, Muammar, responsible for Sadr's disappearance, as the Imam was last seen in Libya on August 31, 1978, following a formal invitation. Two of Sadr’s companions, Sheikh Mohammed Yakoub and journalist Abbas Badr al-Din, also disappeared in the same month.
The former Libyan regime has consistently denied accusations of involvement in the disappearances, stressing the three left Tripoli heading towards Italy.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
