Libya trial: Gaddafi son sentenced to death over war crimes | World Defense

Libya trial: Gaddafi son sentenced to death over war crimes

BLACKEAGLE

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A court in Libya has sentenced Col Muammar Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, and eight others to death over war crimes linked to the 2011 revolution.

They were on trial along with dozens of other close associates of the deposed leader, accused of suppressing protests during the uprising.

Saif al-Islam was not present in court and gave evidence via video link.

He is being held by a former rebel group from the town of Zintan that refuses to release him.

Former head of intelligence for the Gaddafi regime, Abdallah al-Senousi, is among those also facing the death penalty, as is former PM Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi.

They will be given the right to appeal, according to the BBC's John Simpson, who is in Tripoli.

Other defendants have received sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment.
Libya trial: Gaddafi son sentenced to death over war crimes - BBC News
 

Redheart

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It's fair. Blood for blood. You kill someone or have someone kill them for you eventually you'll pay for your crimes either in this life or in the age to come.

I wonder though what the point of an appeal would be. Are they guilty or not? If they are guilty would the sentence be changed after the appeal? I believe that the Libyan people want justice and those responsible for the murders of protesters must pay the ultimate price for the scales to be balanced which is probably the reason why once any of them are found guilty an appeal would obviously not change anything.
 

Psyche

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It may be fair in principle (possibly) but not in execution.
1) This court is not run by the current internationally recognized government of the country.
2) This court does not have custody of the accused. In fact he is being held by another militia group entirely.
3) The defendants they do hold are being tortured and the results of this torture being used to incriminate themselves and others.
4) The defendant was not given access to the proceedings or the ability to defend himself.
5) Only two witnesses were called and they were not provided any way to protect themselves from reprisals of they said something unpopular.
6) The international court has deemed they are the court that should hear this case, and as they re a higher court it should have been ceded to them.

So, no matter what you think about the guy's guilt, this is not a valid ruling.
 

Redheart

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The International criminal court due to structural weaknesses and though it claims that is free from any political influence but fact is the states which fund the ICC manipulate the court to do their bidding. That would explain why thousands of people who've committed war crimes haven't been prosecuted [or won't be prosecuted].

Who'd trust an institution that is controlled by a few nations? The Libyans I suppose don't trust the ICC . . .
 

Corzhens

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How many dictators were executed? How many families of dictators have suffered execution or incarceration? As they say, that's the price of war when you lose. When I was young, I had read of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a former ruler of Pakistan who was executed for his alleged wrongdoings. But his daughter, Benazir became a prime minister. Politics is really silly at times.
 

Psyche

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Whether or not you accept the ICC, there are still the other five reasons why this is a show trial with no actual judicial weight domestically either. It is just one of the warring parties releasing some propaganda in a very effective way. And if Saif ever is brought to account this will probably make that process more difficult. Especially as he is currently being imprisoned extra-judicially by a third party.
 

Diane Lane

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It may be fair in principle (possibly) but not in execution.
1) This court is not run by the current internationally recognized government of the country.
2) This court does not have custody of the accused. In fact he is being held by another militia group entirely.
3) The defendants they do hold are being tortured and the results of this torture being used to incriminate themselves and others.
4) The defendant was not given access to the proceedings or the ability to defend himself.
5) Only two witnesses were called and they were not provided any way to protect themselves from reprisals of they said something unpopular.
6) The international court has deemed they are the court that should hear this case, and as they re a higher court it should have been ceded to them.

So, no matter what you think about the guy's guilt, this is not a valid ruling.

What was the point of the trial, if the court isn't recognized, the defendant wasn't present, and the information he gave may have been tainted by unorthodox treatment? It seems like shouting into the wind to me. Perhaps the court is hoping to be recognized at some point, and that the verdict will be upheld, but that seems unlikely, given the details presented.
 

ke gordon

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A court in Libya has sentenced Col Muammar Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, and eight others to death over war crimes linked to the 2011 revolution.

They were on trial along with dozens of other close associates of the deposed leader, accused of suppressing protests during the uprising.

Saif al-Islam was not present in court and gave evidence via video link.

He is being held by a former rebel group from the town of Zintan that refuses to release him.

Former head of intelligence for the Gaddafi regime, Abdallah al-Senousi, is among those also facing the death penalty, as is former PM Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi.

They will be given the right to appeal, according to the BBC's John Simpson, who is in Tripoli.

Other defendants have received sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment.
Libya trial: Gaddafi son sentenced to death over war crimes - BBC News
Well if you are going to commit criminal behavior, i.e. killing your own people you should face the consequences which in this case is the death penalty. It is one of the things that individuals should understand. When they do the time, they need to be willing to face the penalty. It is simply one of the options that you need. It is something that you are looking for and can use. It is a good thing for other Middle Eastern Leaders to see happen.
 
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