Libyan authorities have initiated an investigation into the death of Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who was shot dead on Tuesday in the city of Zintan, located in the northwest of the country.
The Libyan Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed on Wednesday that forensic experts have been sent to Zintan to examine the scene of the crime and gather evidence. In a brief statement, the office revealed that the cause of Seif al-Islam’s death was gunshot wounds, and authorities are actively seeking witnesses and any individuals who may have information to help identify the perpetrators.
According to Marcel Ceccaldi, Seif al-Islam’s lawyer, the 49-year-old was killed by a group of armed assailants. Ceccaldi described the attackers as a “four-man commando” who stormed Seif al-Islam’s residence on Tuesday, executing the fatal assault. The lawyer has not provided further details on the identity or affiliation of the attackers.
Libya, once a stable nation under the rule of Muammar Gaddafi for over four decades, has been in turmoil since the NATO-backed revolution of 2011, which saw the fall of the Gaddafi regime. The conflict that followed has left the country deeply divided, with two rival factions vying for control. On one hand, there is the UN-recognized Government of National Unity (GNU), based in Tripoli, and on the other, the eastern-based administration loyal to General Khalifa Haftar. Despite the internal strife and ongoing conflict, neither of these rival governments has commented publicly on Seif al-Islam’s death.
The only public reaction so far came from Moussa al-Kouni, the vice president of Libya’s Presidential Council, who represents the Fezzan region. Al-Kouni condemned the assassination in a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “No to political assassinations, no to achieving demands by force, and no to violence as a language or a means of expression.”
Seif al-Islam Gaddafi had been a controversial figure in Libyan politics, particularly after his father’s brutal death at the hands of revolutionary forces in 2011. Following the fall of Gaddafi’s regime, Seif al-Islam was captured by militias in the Zintan area and held for years before being released in 2017 under unclear circumstances. Over the years, he has attempted to make a political comeback, even hinting at aspirations to return to power in a country still reeling from years of civil unrest and violence. His death now casts a shadow over the ongoing struggle for influence in Libya, raising questions about the role of former Gaddafi loyalists in the current political landscape.
The killing of Seif al-Islam Gaddafi is likely to exacerbate the political instability in Libya. It remains to be seen whether his death is linked to ongoing power struggles within the country or a more targeted act of retribution by factions still loyal to his father’s regime.
Libya’s chaotic situation, complicated by the presence of numerous armed groups and foreign involvement, has made the search for justice and peace elusive. While investigations are underway, it is uncertain whether the perpetrators will be brought to justice, given the challenges of law enforcement in a country divided along political and military lines.
