Beirut, Lebanon – Hannibal Gaddafi, son of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, was released from Lebanese custody today after a decade of detention. His release was secured following the payment of bail set at $893,000.
Gaddafi’s arrest in 2015 stemmed from allegations of withholding information related to the disappearance of prominent Shia cleric, Musa al-Sadr, and his companions. Al-Sadr vanished during a visit to Libya in August 1978, during Muammar Gaddafi’s rule. The case has been a long-standing point of contention between Lebanon and Libya.
The release comes days after Lebanese authorities lifted a travel ban previously imposed on Gaddafi and reduced the initial bail amount. The Lebanese judiciary reportedly lowered the bail from an initial $11 million to the current figure.
Sources in Libya suggest that the release followed understandings between Lebanese authorities and the Libyan Government of National Unity. The Libyan government has reportedly expressed appreciation to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, and affirmed the importance of strengthening diplomatic ties between the two countries.
His prolonged detention without trial had drawn criticism from human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, with his legal team describing his imprisonment as ‘arbitrary.’
“The bail was paid this morning. Hannibal Gaddafi will finally be released. For him, this is the end of a 10-year nightmare,” said his French lawyer, Laurent Bayon.
Gaddafi departed from the Internal Security Forces prison accompanied by his defense team. His next destination remains undisclosed, with his lawyers indicating it will remain ‘confidential’. He is reported to be in possession of a Libyan passport.
