Seif al-Islam el-Qaddafi, the son and presumptive heir of ex-Libyan dictator Muammar el-Qaddafi, has been captured recently in Libya. The ex-head of the Libyan intelligence service was also captured over the weekend by government forces. This represents both an opportuntiy and a dilemma for the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has receieved assurances from the Libyan transitional government that both men will face trial in The Hague. A trial at the ICC could bolster the image of both Libya and the ICC as legitimate entities enforcing international law. However, the Libyan people also have a desire to try the men locally, which could lead the transitional government to break its promise to the ICC.
Citation: Marlise Simons, International Court Faces Key Test on Libyan Captives, The New York Times, November 20, 2011.