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Russia urges fair trial for captured Seif al-Islam - Russian Africa envoy

19 November 2011 19:10 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Russia’s presidential envoy to Africa Mikhail Margelov has hailed Libyan leadersâ€™ decision to send the arrested son of Muammar Gaddafi, Seif al-Islam, to court and expressed hope he would receive a fair trial, APA reports quoting RIA Novosti.

â€œThe international community today keeps close watch on Libyan authoritiesâ€™ ability to defend the results of war victory since the compliance with the generally accepted rules of treating captives is the key factor of this ability,â€ Margelov said.

Saif al-Islam was arrested on Saturday in southern Libya and then brought by plane to the northwestern town of Zintan, where the angry crowd attempted to storm the aircraft.

Russian envoy praised Libyan leaders for not handing al-Islam to the crowd that could lynch him in a matter of moment like it was with his father, who was captured and killed by rebels near his home town of Sirte in late October.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) said that Libya should surrender Seif al-Islam. However, the ICC did not rule out that Gaddafiâ€™s son would be tried in Libya rather than in The Hague.

â€œIf Libyan authorities believe that a trial at national level is a better solution, they can ask that the case not be admitted in The Hague based on the court’s complementary principle,â€ Al Arabiya quoted the Courtâ€™s spokesman, Fadi al-Abdallah as saying.

Libyan interim government however wants a trial for Seif al-Islam only on Libyan territory.

The European Union described the arrest of Gaddafiâ€™s son as â€œa very significant developmentâ€ and called for Libyan leaders to cooperate with the ICC.

â€œIt is important for future national reconciliation that those responsible for human rights violations committed both before and during the recent conflict are brought to justice and that the facts surrounding such violations are brought to light,â€ the EUâ€™s Foreign Affaires Chief, Catherine Ashton said.

In October, Interpol and the International Criminal Court (ICC) have called for Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi to turn himself in. Interpol said both institutions would provide his safe transition to The Hague where he is accused of crimes against humanity, including murder and persecution.