Lebanese judicial authorities have ordered the release of Hannibal Gaddafi, son of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, on bail while imposing a travel ban. The decision, issued by Judge Zaher Hamadeh, the investigative magistrate in the case of the disappearance of Imam Musa al-Sadr, requires Gaddafi to pay a bail of $11 million USD. This development comes after approximately eight years of Gaddafi's detention, largely without substantive interrogation, related to the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Imam Sadr and his companions.The decision to grant bail has sparked controversy. While the plaintiffs from the family of journalist Abbas Badr Al-Din consented to the release, the plaintiffs representing the families of Imam Musa al-Sadr and Sheikh Mohammad Yaqoub vehemently opposed it and filed a formal objection.
The investigative hearing took place at the Beirut Justice Palace around 11:00 AM. Three of Gaddafi’s defense attorneys were present, including French lawyer Laurent Bayon. Legal representatives from the opposing families, including lawyer Antoine Akl, also attended the session.
Prior to the hearing, Inas Harrak, a lawyer from Gaddafi’s defense team, described the anticipated decision as a “test of the Lebanese state’s conscience,” arguing that her client’s case had faced unwarranted delays. The defense team also voiced strong objections to the exorbitant bail amount, deeming it illogical and asserting that Gaddafi does not possess such a sum.
The case surrounding Hannibal Gaddafi is deeply intertwined with the unresolved mystery of Imam Musa al-Sadr’s disappearance in 1978. Sadr, a prominent Lebanese Shia cleric, vanished during a trip to Libya, and Gaddafi’s regime has long been implicated in his abduction. The granting of bail, even with a travel ban, is likely to further inflame tensions and raise concerns about the pursuit of justice in this highly sensitive case.
The hefty bail and travel restrictions suggest the Lebanese authorities are attempting to balance the legal process with the political and social sensitivities surrounding the case. The ongoing investigation and the objections from the Sadr and Yaqoub families indicate that the legal battle is far from over, and the truth behind Imam Sadr’s disappearance remains elusive.
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Written by Noor Eleslam
