Libya urges ICC to abandon legal claim to try Saif Gaddafi, ex spy chief

Tripoli, May 2 (ANI): Libyan authorities have formally asked the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) to abandon its legal action against Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and the nation's former intelligence chief so that both men can face trial in Tripoli, where they are likely to face the death penalty.

The Libyan Governmet insisted that the son of slain dictator Muammar Gaddafi has been held in 'adequate conditions of detention' in Zintan city, 'which will improved even further' once he is transferred to a prison in Tripoli.

Abdullah al-Senussi, Gaddafi's brother-in-law and former head of intelligence, was arrested by the government of Mauritania in March.

Tripoli was earlier assured that al-Senussi, who is suffering from a liver disease, would be returned to Libya.

According to The Guardian, the Libyan submission to the ICC said that 'the severity of al-Senussi's liver disease has become apparent and his health condition is now such that it is understood that he cannot presently be investigated domestically for breaches of Mauritanian law, let alone transferred back to Libya.'

"The national proceedings are consistent with the Libyan government's commitment to post-conflict transitional justice and national reconciliation," the submission to ICC said.

"It reflects a genuine willingness and ability to bring the persons concerned to justice in furtherance of building a new and democratic Libya governed by the rule of law," it said.

According to the paper, Libya is asking for the ICC to declare its claim to try the two men as 'inadmissible' and to abandon its request for their surrender. (ANI)