Court re-instates Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi to Libya’s presidential race

By Sami Zaptia.

Tripoli, 2 December 2021:

The Sebha Court of Appeal today reinstated Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi, son of the late dictator Muamar Qaddafi, to Libya’s presidential elections planned for 24 December 2021.

The court session had been delayed for a week after armed groups/militias/ soldiers identified as being aligned to Khalifa Hafter had initially prevented the case from going ahead.

International pressure as well as reinforcements from the Tripoli government ensured that the judges were able to sit today.

The judges accepted Saif’s appeal against his disqualification by the High National Elections Commission (HNEC).

The court was surrounded by Saif’s supporters who celebrated the court decision.

It will be recalled that HNEC had disqualified Saif on 24 November (along with another 24 applicants) from standing in the presidential elections by virtue of articles 10/7, for having a previous final conviction of a crime, and 17/5, for failing to obtain a certificate for no previous judgements.

Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi disqualified by election commission from standing in presidential elections | (libyaherald.com)

Five HNEC locations subject of armed robbery, kidnap and voting card theft: HNEC | (libyaherald.com)

HNEC extends voting card collection deadline to 1 December | (libyaherald.com)

HNEC extends voting card collection deadline to 1 December | (libyaherald.com)

Aldabaiba and Abusahmain reinstated by court as presidential candidates | (libyaherald.com)

UNSMIL alarmed by reported attack on Sebha court looking into Saif Qaddafi’s election disqualification appeal | (libyaherald.com)