Amnesty decries flawed trial of al-Gaddafi officials
London, 30 Jul - (ANA) - Amnesty International has condemned the convictions of more than 30 al-Gaddafi officials, including the imposition of nine death sentences saying the trial was marred with serious flaws that highlight Libya’s inability to administer justice  of international standards. Among the nine people sentenced to death for war crimes and other offences during the 2011 armed conflict are Colonel Mu’ammar al-Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam al-Gaddafi, and the former Head of Military Intelligence, Abdallah al-Senussi. Twenty-three other former officials were given sentences ranging from life imprisonment to five years in prison, four people were acquitted, and one was referred for medical treatment and not sentenced. “Instead of helping to establish the truth and ensuring accountability for serious violations during the 2011 armed conflict, this trial exposes the weakness of a criminal justice system which is hanging on by a thread in a war-torn country with no central authority,” said Philip Luther, Middle East and North Africa Programme Director at Amnesty International. “It’s a case that was always going to test the judiciary, but in the end it has shown the difficulties of delivering justice at a time when the rule of the gun overpowers the rule of law. “The death sentences – the ultimate human rights violation – add further insult to injury, and should be overturned on appeal.” (ANA)

FA/ANA/30 July 2015--------