Pre-trial of Kadhafi's son next month in Tripoli

The case against Seif al-Islam, son of slain Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, will be presented to a court in Tripoli on September 19, Libya's public prosecutor announced Tuesday. "The prosecutor's office has decided to try 30 people linked to the former regime, including Seif al-Islam Kadhafi (and former spy chief) Abdullah al-Senussi," Abdelkader Radouan said. They are accused of crimes committed during the 2011 uprising which overthrew Kadhafi. Baghdadi al-Mahmudi, the last prime minister to serve under Kadhafi, and Mansur Daw who headed the People's Guard are also among the accused. "This affair will be presented on September 19 before the court of first instance in Tripoli," Radouan told a press conference. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Seif al-Islam and Senussi in 2011, accusing them of crimes against humanity, and it has a UN Security Council mandate to investigate the Libyan conflict. Tripoli and the ICC have been locked in a legal tug-of-war over where the two men should face trial for their roles in trying to put down the bloody revolt against the Kadhafi regime. Tuesday's announcement of the pre-trial process comes after the ICC in May rejected Tripoli's request to try the late dictator's son in a Libyan court because of doubts over a fair trial. Tripoli has appealed the decision. The defendants face a string of charges, including the "formation of armed bands to carry out crimes that undermine state security" and "incitation to rape". Tripoli's court of first instance, purportedly made up of independent judges, has the power under Libyan law to accept or reject the charges, or to request further investigation. Observers expect the trial itself to last up to four months. Seif al-Islam has been held by a brigade of former rebel fighters in Zintan, 180 kilometres (110 miles) southwest of the capital, since his capture in November 2011.