By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 10 May 2015:
Saadi Qaddafi appeared in court in Tripoli today on charges relating to the death in . . .[restrict]March 2006 Ittihad Tripoli football team coach, Bashir Al-Rayani. However, the trial – at Hadba prison where he and other Qaddafi regime figures are being held – was adjourned until 19 July at the request of Saadi’s lawyers who said they needed more time to study the case.
Saadi is accused of ordering the coach’s murder after Rayani is said to have made disparaging remarks about Saadi’s lack of talent as a footballer.
This is just one of a number cases being brought against Saadi, although potentially it is the most serious as it carries the death penalty.
Ittihad is the prime rival to Tripoli’s other top football club, Al-Ahly, which the football-fixated Saadi captained.
After he was detained, Rayani was allegedly tortured before being killed.
Saadi, who was extradited from Niger last year, is separately charged with a number of other charges including corruption, incitement to murder during the 17 February revolution and bringing mercenaries from Sub-Saharan African countries to fight alongside Qaddafi’s troops. [/restrict]
