Libyan authorities have formally initiated a comprehensive investigation into the violent killing of Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, the prominent son of the nation's late former ruler Muammar Gaddafi. The incident occurred in the northwestern city of Zintan, where the victim was fatally shot under circumstances that remain under intense scrutiny.
Official Investigation Underway
In an official statement released on Wednesday, February 4, the Libyan public prosecutor's office confirmed that specialized forensic experts have been dispatched to Zintan to conduct a thorough examination of the crime scene. The office emphasized that active investigations are progressing with the primary objectives of identifying, locating, and apprehending all individuals responsible for this deadly attack.
The prosecutor's office provided a preliminary medical assessment, stating clearly that "the victim died from wounds by gunfire." Investigators are now intensively working to "speak to witnesses and anyone who may be able to shed light on the incident," aiming to piece together the exact sequence of events and establish motives behind the killing.
Details of the Attack Emerge
According to Marcel Ceccaldi, the legal representative for Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, the assassination was carried out by an unidentified armed group described as a "four-man commando" unit. Ceccaldi informed AFP that these assailants allegedly stormed his client's residence in Zintan on Tuesday, executing the attack with precision.
Political Context and Instability
This violent episode occurs against the backdrop of Libya's prolonged and profound instability, which has persisted since the NATO-supported uprising in 2011. That revolution ultimately led to the overthrow and subsequent killing of Muammar Gaddafi, plunging the country into a state of continuous political fragmentation and widespread insecurity.
Presently, Libya remains sharply divided between two competing administrations:
- A United Nations-recognized government operating from the capital, Tripoli
- A rival eastern-based administration backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar
Notably, neither of these governing authorities has issued any official statement or commentary regarding the killing of Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, highlighting the complex and sensitive nature of this event within Libya's fractured political landscape.
Limited Public Reactions
So far, the only public response has come from Moussa al-Kouni, who serves as vice-president of Libya's Presidential Council representing the Fezzan region. Al-Kouni expressed his position on the social media platform X, writing emphatically: "No to political assassinations, no to achieving demands by force, and no to violence as a language or a means of expression."
This statement underscores growing concerns about the normalization of violent political tactics in a nation still struggling to establish durable governance structures and lasting peace.
