In recent hours, Libyans have been preoccupied with news that spread across social media regarding the alleged death of Hannibal, the son of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, in Lebanon. Posts claimed that Gaddafi's son suffered a heart attack in Lebanese prisons that led to his death. These reports were widely circulated, especially after Hannibal's health had deteriorated multiple times over the past year, prompting his transfer to the hospital.
However, these rumors are completely false, as several sources denied today, Friday, the reports circulating on social media about Hannibal's death. Reem Youssef Al-Dabri, Hannibal's attorney, told the Libyan newspaper "Bawabat Al-Wasat" that these news stories are entirely untrue and are merely rumors, the purpose of which is currently unknown.
Regarding her client's case, Al-Dabri added that "there is no new information about the file yet."
It is noteworthy that Hannibal Gaddafi has been detained for nine years. His case came back into the spotlight after the organization "Human Rights Watch" called on Lebanese authorities to release him immediately, highlighting that he has been held on fabricated charges since his arrest in December 2015.
The case of Gaddafi's son has garnered the interest and attention of Libyans and resurfaced months ago after he announced a hunger strike in protest of the prolonged detention by the Lebanese judiciary for nine years. The Libyan Presidential Council announced the formation of a committee led by Justice Minister Halima Al-Bousefi to follow up on this case and ordered the establishment of a defense body to handle legal proceedings before all relevant Lebanese authorities and courts to ensure a fair trial, the results of which have not yet been announced.
