Assassination of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi
| Assassination of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Libyan crisis | |
 Saif al-Islam Gaddafi announcing his candidacy at a press conference in 2021 | |
  Zintan Location within Libya | |
| Location | Zintan, Libya |
| Date | 3 February 2026 |
| Target | Saif al-Islam Gaddafi |
Attack type | Assassination, mass shooting |
| Deaths | 4 (including Gaddafi) |
| Assailants | 4 gunmen |
On 3 February 2026, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, a Libyan politician and son of Muammar Gaddafi, was assassinated at age 53 in Zintan, Libya, by four masked gunmen.[1][2] At the time of his death, he was a candidate for the Libyan presidential election scheduled in April 2026.[3]
Background
[edit]Gaddafi was wanted by the International Criminal Court since 2011, which had indicted him on two counts of crimes against humanity of "murder and persecution" for his role in suppressing the Libyan opposition protests against his father's regime during the 2011 Libyan civil war.[4]
In 2015, a court in Tripoli sentenced him to death by firing squad in absentia for war crimes committed during his role in the crackdown.[5] However, the Zintan Brigades that were holding him since his capture in 2011 refused to hand him over as they did not recognize the authority of the internationally recognized Tripoli government or its courts. He was released by the Zintan militia in 2017 after he was given full amnesty by Khalifa Haftar, whose Libyan National Army dominates eastern and central Libya and holds influence over Zintan.[6] Gaddafi remained underground in Zintan since his release to avoid assassination.[2]
In 2021, Gaddafi was a candidate for the presidential election that had been scheduled in 2021. He was disqualified under Article 10/7 of the electoral law for having been convicted of a crime, and under Article 17/5 for not providing a certificate showing a clean criminal record.[7] Gaddafi tried to appeal his disqualification, which led to a "collapse of the election process and [a] return to political stalemate", according to Al Monitor.[8] Polling in 2021 placed Gaddafi as a leading candidate ahead of most other nominees, alongside Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh.[citation needed] In November 2025, the Libyan High National Election Commission (HNEC) stated that it would be "ready to begin implementing presidential and parliamentary elections in mid-April 2026" if funds were available and if the 6+6 Committee finalised electoral laws.[3]
Assassination
[edit]On 3 February 2026, four masked gunmen raided Gaddafi's home after disabling security cameras. Gaddafi attempted to fight back but was reportedly killed at 2:30 a.m. The four gunmen then fled the scene.[9] Three other people also died during the assault: guardian of the site Ajmeri Al-Atiri, local militia leader Abou Bakr Al-Siddiq, and his son Mohammed.[10][6]
Investigation
[edit]The Public Prosecution Office in Tripoli announced that an official investigation into Gaddafi's assassination had begun. The 444th Infantry Brigade denied involvement in the assassination.[11]
Burial
[edit]On 6 February 2026, Gaddafi was buried in Bani Walid, Libya, in a funeral attended by thousands, including Gaddafi loyalists. He was buried next to his younger brother Khamis Gaddafi.[12][13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Gaddafi's son killed in clashes as 444th Brigade denies involvement". Türkiye Today. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of former leader, killed in Libya". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 4 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ a b Abdulkader Assad (30 November 2026). "HNEC says ready to begin implementing presidential and parliamentary elections in mid-April 2026". The Libya Observer. Wikidata Q138018154. Archived from the original on 4 February 2026.
- ^ "ICC-01/11-01/11: The Prosecutor v. Muammar Mohammed Abu Minyar Gaddafi, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi Warrant of Arrest for Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi" (PDF). ICC. 27 June 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ "Gaddafi's British-educated son 'killed by gunmen in Libya'". The Telegraph. 4 February 2026. Archived from the original on 4 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of ex-Libyan leader, killed: Probe launched by prosecutors". BBC News. 3 February 2026. Archived from the original on 4 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ Zaptia, Sami (24 November 2021). "Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi disqualified by election commission from standing in presidential elections". Libya Herald. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ Michael Georgy (4 February 2026). "Libya's Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, who crushed dissent then sought political comeback, dies at 53". Al-Monitor. Wikidata Q138018236. Archived from the original on 5 February 2026.
- ^ "Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has been killed, Gaddafi family source tells Al Arabiya". Al Arabiya English. 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "Saïf Al-Islam Kadhafi, l'énigmatique fils du dictateur libyen, assassiné dans le djebel où il était reclus". Le Monde Afrique (in French). 4 February 2026. Archived from the original on 4 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ Al-Atrash, Islam; Livni, Ephrat (3 February 2026). "Seif al-Islam el-Qaddafi, Son of Libyan Dictator, Is Killed". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "Thousands attend Gaddafi son's funeral, highlighting Libya's divided loyalties". France 24. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
- ^ Zaptia, Sami (6 February 2026). "Saif al-Islam Qaddafi buried in Bani Walid next to his brother – thousands attend funeral as supporters of former regime display old green flag". Libya Herald. Retrieved 6 February 2026.