Hannibal Gaddafi May Be Released After Nearly 10 Years in Lebanese Custody; Questions Loom Over Libya's Future

Hannibal Gaddafi, the youngest son of former Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi, who has been detained in Lebanon since December 2015, is likely to be released soon. He has been held on allegations of withholding information regarding the 1978 disappearance of prominent Lebanese Shia figure Imam Musa al-Sadr and two companions. Hannibal has consistently denied any involvement, emphasizing that he was just a child at the time.

His French lawyer, Laurent Bayon, recently confirmed that the family of Abbas Badreddine’s son, Zahir Badreddine, supports Hannibal’s release, signaling a significant breakthrough in the long-standing case. The Lebanese Prosecutor General is expected to give an opinion on the release within 24 hours.

Hannibal’s decade-long imprisonment has drawn international criticism. Human Rights Watch has condemned the detention as arbitrary and has urged Lebanese authorities to release him immediately, citing deteriorating health caused by poor prison conditions and prolonged isolation. Hannibal was hospitalized recently for severe pneumonia and liver inflammation, marking his first night outside prison in years.

Born in 1975, Hannibal fled to Syria after his father's assassination in 2011 and later became a political refugee. Despite repeated legal proceedings, no trial has been held against him, and the accusations remain contested. His case highlights political and judicial complexities in Lebanon, with ongoing international calls for justice.

The uncertain fate of Hannibal’s release has sparked speculation about potential upheavals in Libya, as his freedom could impact ongoing political dynamics influenced by the Gaddafi legacy.