By Ahmed Elumami and Sami Zaptia
Tripoli, 19 September 2013:
There are unconfirmed reports this morning in Tripoli that Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi has . . .[restrict]been brought to Tripoli to make a court appearance to face charges – as reported by Libya Herald yesterday.
Libya Herald reports a frenzied atmosphere in front of the Hadba prison and court as members of the public and relatives of the Abu Sleem prison massacre congregate awaiting confirmation of Saif’s presence in the capital.
It is also reported that a large number of leading members of the Qaddafi regime would also make an appearance before the court today.
Yesterday, the media were informed that the court session would be conducted in closed session. However, this morning, five TV channels, including the state-owned Wataniya channel, Alassema, Aljazira, and Al-Naba were allowed access. No newspapers, including Libya Herald were allowed access into the court room.
Security was high at the court entrance where relatives of the Abu Sleem prison massacre are calling for justice to be conducted in public, as opposed to behind closed doors.
If Saif does make an appearance in Tripoli, this would be a break through and would be the first time that Saif would have left his prison in Zintan since his capture.
Yesterday, spokesperson for Zintan Local Council Omar Matoog told Libya Herald that Saif would not be brought to Tripoli and would make his court appearance in Zintan.
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