Hannibal Gadhafi Freed After Bail Paid
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese authorities released Hannibal Gadhafi on Monday evening after he posted a reduced bail of 80 billion Lebanese pounds (about $900,000), ending nearly a decade-long detention in a case alleging he withheld information about a missing Lebanese cleric.
Charbel Milad al-Khoury, one of Gadhafi’s lawyers, told The Associated Press that his client was freed once the necessary paperwork was completed. Two security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity under regulations, also confirmed the release.
The move followed a judicial decision this week to lift a travel ban and lower the bail requirement. In mid-October, a Lebanese judge had ordered Gadhafi’s release on an $11 million bond but barred him from leaving the country; his legal team then sought a reduction, saying he lacked the funds to pay that amount.
Judicial and security officials said the bail was paid by a visiting Libyan delegation. The Tripoli-based government’s Justice Ministry posted on social media that the delegation covered the payment, a development that came after talks between Libyan representatives and Lebanese authorities.
Background
Gadhafi, a son of the late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, had been detained in Lebanon for about 10 years in connection with an investigation into the disappearance of a Lebanese cleric. Lebanese officials have not publicly detailed all aspects of the inquiry.
“He was released Monday evening after required paperwork was completed,”
The reduction of bail from $11 million to the equivalent of 80 billion Lebanese pounds cleared the way for Gadhafi to leave Lebanon once formalities were finished. Authorities did not immediately say whether he would return to Libya or travel elsewhere.
Reporting for this article includes statements from defense counsel, anonymous security sources and a social-media post by the Tripoli-based Justice Ministry confirming payment of the bond.
