Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, who announced in his previous statements that he could be a candidate for the December 24 elections, officially applied for candidacy at the High National Electoral Commision (HNEC) office in the city of Sebha in southern Libya on Sunday. Saif-al Islam appeared in front of the camera for the first time after many years.
Libyan HNEC Press Director Khalid al-Menai confirmed Gaddafi’s candidacy application, while International Criminal Court Spokesperson Fadi al-Abdullah noted that the court’s arrest warrant for Seyfulislam is still valid. Abdullah also stated that Saif al-Islam’s application for candidacy in the December 24 elections will not change the verdict given about him.
In addition to this, the Libyan Military Prosecutor General’s Office sent an official letter to the HNEC, demanding that the candidacy proceedings of Khalifa Haftar and Saif al-Islam Gaddafi be halted until the ongoing investigations are completed.
Gaddafi is on trial by the ICC and the Libyan Military Prosecutor’s Office for committing war crimes and using mercenaries. Gaddafi’s candidacy has the potential to further complicate the already tense election atmosphere.
