Saif Gaddafi expresses preference 'to be tried in Libya' even if it leads to execution

Tripoli, Apr 12 (ANI): Slain Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi's son, Saif-al Islam has said that he wants to face trial for alleged crimes in his home country and not in the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

The ICC investigators who met with Saif at a detention centre in Tripoli earlier this month said that he had expressed a preference to be tried in his own country, even if he faced the death penalty.

"I hope I can be tried here in my country, whether they will execute me or not," Saif reportedly told two ICC officials.

According to The Telegraph, an ICC report said Saif's comments were 'playing the part for the benefit of the (Libyan) prosecutor,' who was present in the hour-long meeting.

Judges from the ICC travelled to Libya in an advance of a ruling that the country was in violation of UN Security council resolutions for not handing over 39-year old Saif, who is wanted for crimes against humanity.

According to the paper, the ICC report also confirmed that Saif had suffered torture and abuse after he was captured last November.

"His attitude changed from relaxed to intense and without saying a word he waved the hand where two fingers were missing and pointed to a missing tooth in the upper front" the report added. (ANI)