France Press

THE HAGUE: Seif al-Islam, son of slain Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, told International Criminal Court officials he hoped to be tried in Libya but they doubted his statement, a report published Wednesday said.

Seif al-Islam, 39, who is wanted by the Hague-based ICC for crimes against humanity in trying to put down the bloody revolt against Gadhafi last year, made the statement during a meeting with the officials in Libya last month.

“I hope I can be tried here in my country, whether they will execute me or not,” he told two ICC officials, according to the report for judges from the court’s registry dated March 5 and made public Wednesday.

But the report – which also backed up claims Seif al-Islam had been mistreated – said it appeared he “was playing the part for the benefit of the [Libyan] prosecutor,” whose representative was present in the meeting.

The March 3 meeting happened in Zintan, a town about 180 kilometers southwest of Tripoli where Gadhafi’s eldest son has been held in custody since his capture by then Libyan rebel forces fighting to overthrow his father.

“It is important to note that for the registry representative, it was clear that [Seif al-Islam] was not able to reply to the questions in the presence of the Libyan prosecution representative,” the report said.

The only chance the registry official had to speak with Seif al-Islam directly was when the Libyan prosecution official went outside for about 5 minutes and and Seif al-Islam was asked whether he had been mistreated.

“His attitude changed from relaxed to intense and without saying a word he waved the hand where two fingers were missing and pointed to a missing tooth in the upper front” of his mouth, the report said.

The ICC issued a warrant for Seif al-Islam’s arrest and transfer to The Hague for trial, but so far Tripoli’s new authorities have resisted, insisting he would get a fair hearing if put in a Libyan dock. ICC defense official Xavier-Jean Keita has alleged that Seif al-Islam had been assaulted since his arrest on Nov. 19 last year in southwestern Libya.