In a notable development within Libya’s judicial system, the trial of Abdullah Al-Senussi, the former intelligence chief during Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, has been postponed once again. The Tripoli Court of Appeals has deferred the trial to 8 January, citing the non-appearance of Al-Senussi for the ninth consecutive session.
In December 2022, the Al-Senussi family threatened to “close all vital institutions in the south of the country, if the government does not release him and his companions.”
In press remarks, Al-Senussi’s son said the Government of National Unity (GNU) led by Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba “cannot be trusted.”
“We ask the people of Fezzan, the East, and the West of Libya, to stand by us because this government cannot be trusted. Dbaiba has neither transparency nor credibility for us in the Southern region,” he said.
He noted that the health condition of his father is unstable, and that he underwent three heart surgeries. “We thank everyone who fights against the extradition of Al-Senussi, and everyone who stands against Dbaiba and his family,” he noted.
The head of the Supreme Council of the Fezzan Tribes, Harun Ali Arhuma threatened to close the oil fields in the southern region if the government took steps to extradite Al-Senussi.
Arhuma held the GNU responsible for the safety of Al-Senussi.
In statements to Libya Al-Hadath, he said that there is news circulating that Washington has asked the GNU to extradite Al-Senussi. “If that happened, there will be an unexpected escalation,” he warned.
“The valves of the Man-made River, and the southern oil fields will be closed,” he said.
Arhuma said that Al-Senussi was ill inside his prison cell. “The case (Lockerbie) was settled politically and legally between Libya and the United States, and ended with an agreement and compensation paid in the past,” he explained.