ICC Meets With Rebels Over Fate of Gaddafi Son

International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo was in Tripoli today to discuss how local officials intend to proceed with the detention of Saif Gaddafi,who faces charges before the ICC.

 Gaddafi was captured by rebel fighter in Libya’s southern desert Saturday and is reportedly being held in an undisclosed location in the city of Zintan.

 The International Criminal Court indicted Muammar Gaddafi, his son Saif al Islam and spy chief Abdullah Al Senussi on charges of crimes against humanity in June, after the UN Security Council requested the court investigate the Gaddafi regime’s response to anti-government protests.

Transitional authorities have already indicated they want Saif and Al Senussi to be tried in-country, but rights groups have voiced serious concern over Libya’s ability to meet international legal standards.

“The issue of where the trials will be held has to be resolved through consultations with the Court. In the end, the ICC judges will decide, there are legal standards which will have to be adhered to,” Moreno said in a statement today.

Human Rights Watch says Libya needs to follow appropriate judicial procedure if it wants to try Saif Gaddafi domestically, but that in the meantime, transitional officials have a legal obligation to hand Saif Gaddafi over to the ICC. The group says it has documented several cases of detainee abuse by anti-Gaddafi fighters. 

 “The apparent killing in custody of Muammar Gaddafi and his son Muatassim Gaddafi on October 20 are particular cause for concern about Saif al-Islam’s treatment.” Human Rights Watch said on its website. “The Libyan authorities will have to show that they are genuinely able and willing to prosecute the case in fair and credible proceedings. Demonstrating an ability to fairly prosecute Saif al-IslamGaddafi would likely require swift and substantial reform of the judicial system” 

On Sunday, media reports suggested Abdullah Al Senussi had also been captured but his arrest has yet to be confirmed by Libyan officials.