Investigation Launched into Death of Seif al-Islam Gaddafi in Libya

Libyan prosecutors announced on February 4, 2026, that they are investigating the killing of Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the late ruler Muammar Gaddafi. Seif al-Islam was reportedly shot dead in the city of Zintan, located in the northwest of Libya.

The public prosecutor's office confirmed that forensic teams have already been dispatched to the scene of the incident and that efforts are underway to identify the suspects involved. According to the prosecutor’s statement, 'the victim died from wounds by gunfire,' and investigators are eager to interview witnesses who can provide additional information about what transpired.

Marcel Ceccaldi, who acted as Seif al-Islam's legal representative, claimed that an unidentified group of four individuals attacked his home on February 3, leading to his death.

In light of the incident, Mohamed al-Menfi, head of the Presidential Council—a transitional body intended to unify Libya under a United Nations mandate—called for restraint from political entities, the media, and civil society actors. He cautioned against hateful public statements and urged all political factions to await the official investigation's findings. Al-Menfi referred to Seif al-Islam as a 'presidential candidate' and highlighted that any escalation of tensions could jeopardise Libya's ongoing efforts for national reconciliation and the establishment of free elections.

Libya has been grappling with instability since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that resulted in the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi. The country is currently divided, with one faction having its seat in Tripoli supported by the UN, while an eastern administration operates under the command of Khalifa Haftar.

Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, aged 53, was previously arrested in November 2011 in southern Libya due to a warrant for alleged crimes against humanity issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Although he was sentenced to death in 2015 following a rapid trial, he was later granted amnesty. He had declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2021; however, the elections were postponed indefinitely.

There has been no information released regarding the arrangements for his burial, but an adviser, Abdullah Othman Abdurrahim, indicated that an autopsy was completed and that he might be laid to rest in Bani Walid, a town south of Tripoli.

Moussa al-Kouni, the vice president of the Presidential Council and representative for the Fezzan region, took to social media platform X to express his condemnation of political assassinations, asserting that violence should not be used as a means to achieve political objectives.

This investigation unfolds amid a backdrop of profound uncertainty and division within Libya, as the country continues its struggle for political cohesion and stability in the aftermath of a decade of conflict.