Hannibal Gadhafi Held in Tiny Cell in Lebanon Since 2015, Sparking Libyan Concerns

Hannibal Gadhafi, the son of Libya's late dictator Moammar Gadhafi, has been detained in a tiny underground cell in Lebanon since 2015. Leaked photographs of his cramped living conditions, showing a small room without natural light packed with his belongings, a bed, and a small toilet, have raised concerns in Libya. Libyan authorities are now demanding that Lebanon improve Gadhafi's conditions.

Gadhafi was kidnapped from Syria in 2015, where he had been living as a political refugee, by Lebanese militants demanding information about the fate of prominent Lebanese Shiite cleric Moussa al-Sadr. Al-Sadr went missing during a trip to Libya in 1978, and his disappearance has been a sore point in Lebanon, with his family believing he may still be alive in a Libyan prison.

Why this matters: The case highlights the complex political tensions between Lebanon and Libya stemming from the unresolved disappearance of Moussa al-Sadr over 40 years ago. Gadhafi's detention and living conditions have become a diplomatic issue, with Libya pushing for his release and better treatment.

Gadhafi, who says he has no information about al-Sadr's disappearance, has complained about living in misery and being held as a political prisoner without a trial or conviction. "I live in misery," Gadhafi is quoted as saying. The Libyan Justice Ministry states that Gadhafi has been deprived of his rights and deserves to be released.

A Libyan delegation visited Beirut in January 2024 to reopen talks with Lebanese officials on the fate of al-Sadr and Gadhafi's release, but no progress was made. Human Rights Watch has also called for Gadhafi to be freed, noting he was only 2 years old when al-Sadr disappeared in 1978 and held no senior position in Libya as an adult.

Libyan authorities continue to demand improvements to Gadhafi's living conditions and his ultimate release, citing his deteriorating health. The Lebanese militant group that kidnapped Gadhafi, on the other hand, views him as key to finally uncovering the truth about what happened to the still-missing cleric Moussa al-Sadr. With both sides at an impasse, Hannibal Gadhafi remains caught in the middle, languishing in his tiny Beirut cell.

Key Takeaways

• Hannibal Gadhafi, son of Moammar Gadhafi, detained in Lebanon since 2015.
• Leaked photos show Gadhafi's cramped living conditions, raising concerns in Libya.
• Gadhafi was kidnapped from Syria in 2015 by Lebanese militants seeking info on Moussa al-Sadr.
• Libya demands Lebanon improve Gadhafi's conditions, while Lebanon seeks info on al-Sadr.
• Gadhafi claims no info on al-Sadr, says he's held as political prisoner without trial.