Russia has called for a thorough investigation into the killing of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, describing the incident as an assassination and condemning it in strong terms. In a statement, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the circumstances surrounding the attack remain unclear and urged that those responsible be identified and held accountable through a transparent probe.
Saif al-Islam was reportedly killed on February 3 when armed assailants stormed his residence in Zintan, about 136 kilometres southwest of Tripoli. A statement from his political associates said four masked men forced their way into the house and shot him in what they described as a “cowardly and treacherous assassination.” According to the statement, the attackers disabled security cameras in an apparent attempt to conceal evidence. It was also alleged that Saif resisted the assailants before being killed.
Khaled al-Mishri, former chairman of the High Council of State, also called for an urgent and transparent investigation into the killing.
Born in June 1972, Saif al-Islam was widely regarded as his father’s second-in-command between 2000 and 2011, before Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown and killed during Libya’s uprising. In 2011, Saif was placed under United Nations sanctions and became wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity. He was captured in November 2011 while attempting to flee to Niger and was later sentenced to death by a Tripoli court in 2015.
Released in 2017 under an amnesty law, Saif had largely remained out of public view. His 2021 announcement of plans to contest Libya’s presidential election sparked significant controversy among political factions opposed to the Gaddafi era.
