Gadhafi's Son Sentenced to Death for Libya War Crimes

A Libyan court sentenced Moammar Gadhafi's son, Saif al-Islam, to death by firing squad, over his involvement in war crimes linked to Libya’s 2011 political uprising that ended his father's rule.

Saif, considered his father's protege, was found guilty for his role in the murder of Libyan citizens, promotion of civil war and sabotage of national unity.

Similar sentences were handed down to eight other senior Gadhafi officials, said chief investigator at the Tripoli state prosecutor's office, Sadiq al-Sur, during a televised news conference in the capital. They include former intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi and ex-Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi.

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Saif al-Islam did not appear in court for the verdict. He has been in custody in the western city of Zintan since his capture in late 2011.

Libya has been in a civil war since the 2011 overthrow and murder of Moammar Gadhafi and the NATO intervention into the country. In recent months, Libya has descended into chaos due to fighting among rival militias.