Libyan court sentences Gaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam to death

A 2011 combined photo of Saif Al-Islam (left), son of slain Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and Abdullah al-Senussi, head of the Libyan Intelligence Service during that time. A Libyan court passed a death sentence in absentia on Mr. Saif al-Islam, on Tuesday for suppressing peaceful protests during the country's 2011 revolution that ended his father's rule. The court also handed down in a televised session a death sentence by firing squad to Mr. Abdullah al-Senussi, and his former Prime Minister, Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi.

A Libyan court passed a death sentence in absentia on slain leader Muammar Gaddafi's most prominent son, Saif al-Islam, on Tuesday for suppressing peaceful protests during the country's 2011 revolution that ended his father’s rule.

The court also handed down in a televised session a death sentence by firing squad to Gaddafi’s former spy chief, Abdullah al-Senussi, and his former Prime Minister, Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi.

The verdict on Mr. Saif al-Islam was passed in absentia since he has been held since 2011 by a former rebel group in Zintan region that opposes the Tripoli government, which is not recognised by the world powers.