Lebanese judicial official says $11 million bail for Moamer Kadhafi’s son Hannibal Kadhafi could be reduced or cancelled after Libyan delegation visit
BEIRUT: Lebanon may reduce or cancel the $11 million bail imposed for the release of Hannibal Kadhafi, son of deposed Libyan ruler Moamer Kadhafi.
A judicial official and Kadhafi’s lawyer confirmed the potential bail modification on Monday.
Lebanese authorities arrested Hannibal Kadhafi in 2015 over allegations of withholding information about the 1978 disappearance of Lebanese Shiite cleric Mussa Sadr in Libya.
Kadhafi was approximately two years old at the time of Sadr’s disappearance and is now 49 years old according to his legal counsel.
An anonymous judicial official revealed that a Libyan delegation met with Lebanese judicial officials and President Joseph Aoun on Monday.
The delegation presented the investigating judge with copies of Libyan investigations into the Sadr case and interrogation transcripts of former Kadhafi regime officials.
The official observed significant flexibility from Lebanese authorities regarding Hannibal Kadhafi’s bail conditions.
The $11 million bail could be reduced to the minimum amount necessary to facilitate Kadhafi’s release.
The judge also appeared receptive to lifting the travel ban currently imposed on Kadhafi.
Lawyer Laurent Bayon confirmed the bail should be substantially reduced or completely cancelled.
Bayon explained the bail consisted of two separate components totaling $11 million.
The bail includes $10 million designated for victims and $1 million as an appearance guarantee.
The judge might decide to retain only the $1 million appearance guarantee portion of the bail.
Bayon maintains his position that the entire bail amount remains unjustified and should be cancelled.
Mussa Sadr founded the Amal movement, which currently operates as an ally of militant group Hezbollah.
Sadr disappeared during an official visit to Libya along with his aide and a journalist.
Beirut has historically blamed the disappearances on former Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi.
Moamer Kadhafi was overthrown and killed during the 2011 Libyan uprising.
The Lebanese judiciary will review the Libyan documents to determine if they help uncover Sadr’s fate. – AFP
