Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, was killed in a targeted armed attack in western Libya on Tuesday, according to a statement from his political team. The incident occurred amid ongoing instability in the North African nation.
Marcel Ceccaldi, Gaddafi's lawyer, told AFP that a four-man commando team stormed the residence at approximately 2:00 pm local time, fatally shooting the 53-year-old. Security adviser Abdullah Othman Abdurrahim stated attackers disabled surveillance systems before executing Gaddafi.
Libya's attorney general confirmed forensic examinations identified gunshot wounds as the cause of death, with authorities now working to identify suspects. Police have not yet established a motive for the killing.
Once considered his father's political heir, Saif al-Islam played a key role in Libyan governance before the 2011 uprising. His 2015 death sentence in absentia by a Libyan court and outstanding ICC charges over alleged crimes against humanity made him a polarizing figure. His 2021 presidential bid was derailed by election postponements.
Ceccaldi revealed security concerns had been raised days prior, but Gaddafi reportedly declined enhanced protection from tribal allies. The killing underscores persistent security challenges in Libya's fragmented political landscape.
