Libyan prosecutor confirms killing of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi

Libya’s Public Prosecutor has confirmed that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, was killed by gunfire, as investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death continue.

In statements to the media, the Office of the Public Prosecutor said Saif al-Islam’s body had been handed over to members of his tribe at the request of his family, following the completion of all required legal and forensic procedures.

The Prosecutor General said the committee tasked with investigating the killing remains active at the scene, where investigators are examining evidence and documenting forensic findings that may help identify those responsible.

According to the prosecutor, the body was examined, autopsied and fingerprinted, and all necessary criminal procedures were carried out. On Tuesday morning, the Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that Saif al-Islam had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.

The announcement formed part of preliminary findings released by the Prosecutor’s Office. Investigators reportedly acted on a direct order from the Public Prosecutor after receiving a formal report from Saif al-Islam’s family.

Officials said investigators attended the scene, seized relevant items, appointed forensic experts, and interviewed witnesses and others believed to have information related to the incident. A forensic examination of the body was conducted in the presence of pathologists and specialists in firearms, fingerprints, toxicology and other relevant fields, confirming that the victim died as a result of gunshot wounds.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation is continuing to gather further evidence, narrow down the list of suspects and complete the legal steps required to initiate criminal proceedings against those responsible.

On Tuesday evening, Saif al-Islam’s political team announced that he had been killed in the city of Zintan by four unidentified armed men. According to their statement, the attackers stormed his residence, disabled surveillance cameras and carried out what they described as a “direct physical liquidation”.

The killing was also confirmed in separate statements to the media by Abdullah Othman, Saif al-Islam’s political adviser, and his lawyer Khaled Al-Zaidi.

Amnesty International reaction

Amnesty International condemned the killing, warning that Saif al-Islam’s assassination deprives survivors and families of victims of their rights to truth, justice and reparations.

In a statement, the organisation said the incident underscores a deeply entrenched climate of impunity in Libya, where serious crimes continue to go unpunished.

Amnesty noted that Saif al-Islam was the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, and urged Libyan authorities to fully cooperate with the court, particularly in arresting and surrendering suspects implicated in serious crimes.

The rights group called for the Public Prosecutor’s investigation to be swift, independent and transparent, stressing that all those suspected of involvement must be brought to justice in line with international legal standards.

Amnesty warned that failure to conduct a credible investigation would further erode trust in state institutions and reinforce the long-standing pattern of impunity in Libya.