Originally published on the CGS blog on August 22, 2011.
As fighting continues today in Tripoli between rebels and Gaddafi loyalists, it appears that the rebel forces are moving closer to fully securing control of the capital city. One big piece of news that has emerged from the chaos is that Saif Gaddafi, son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi–who is, like his father, wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC)-has been captured by the National Transitional Council (NTC). So, what happens now?
ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo has confirmed that the NTC has captured Saif Gaddafi and put him under house arrest. Ocampo is now speaking with the NTC about transferring Saif into ICC custody, so he can ultimately face charges issued against him by the Court for crimes committed in Libya.
Muammar Gaddafi’s own whereabouts are still a mystery but he, too, faces an ICC arrest warrant for the violence he has unleashed on civilians in his country since February. If Gaddafi attempts to flee Libya to find safe haven elsewhere, any ICC country on whose soil he steps foot is obligated to turn him over to the Court. It is of urgent importance that all ICC state parties honor this commitment.
The situation in Libya remains in flux, but hopefully the end of the Gaddafi family’s hold on Libya can be achieved with no further violence targeting innocent civilians, who have already suffered greatly under the regime. I hope to see both strong efforts to protect civilians during the power transfer-perhaps the National Transitional Council inviting in UN peacekeeping forces to help with this-and at long last, justice for all those Libyans who suffered at the hands of the Gaddafis.
