Moammar Qaddafi’s cousin arrested in Egypt

Ahmed Qaddaf al-Dam, cousin of Moammar Qaddafi, was arrested at his home March 19 in central Cairo by Libyan forces. The arrest of Qaddaf al-Dam coincides with the second anniversary start of the air campaign in Libya by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) that assisted rebels in toppling Qaddafi's regime. Qaddaf al-Dam, who is said to have beeb a trusted accomplice of the former leader, has said he plans on filing a complaint with the Egyptian public prosecutor and Libyan authorities. The Egyptian-controlled Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported that Libyan authorities will gain control of al-Dam and plan on prosecuting him. The specific charges faced by Qaddaf al-Dam are still unknown.

The potential prosecution of Qaddaf al-Dam marks the latest in a series of trials concerning those responsible for the Qaddaf regime following the uprising in Libya. The trial of 40 former Libyan officials began earlier in March in al-Zawiya. In January the former dictator's son Saif al-Islam Qaddafi appeared for the first time in court in Zintan, Libya. In November the trial of former Libyan prime minister Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmoudi began.

From Jurst, March 19. Used with permission.