Bani Walid Mourns: Hundreds Attend Funeral of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi

Hundreds of Libyans gathered on Friday to mourn the late Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of former leader Muammar Gaddafi, as he was laid to rest amidst heavy security and a growing criminal investigation. The funeral, held in the city of Bani Walid, follows shocking reports regarding the circumstances of his violent death.

Investigation Details: 19 Bullets and Time of Death Sources from the Parliamentary Investigation Committee in Libya revealed grim findings from the forensic examination of Saif al-Islam’s body. According to investigators, 19 bullets were recovered from the corpse. The committee also officially determined the time of death to be 5:57 PM, though the specific date of the assassination was not detailed in the immediate briefing.

The discovery of multiple gunshot wounds has fueled further speculation and tension within the country as authorities scramble to identify the parties responsible for what is being characterized as a targeted assassination.

Funeral Ceremonies in Bani Walid The Bani Walid Security Directorate managed the funeral proceedings, which were held at Bani Walid Airport. For organizational and security reasons, officials restricted attendance at the actual burial site to immediate family members and a limited number of tribal elders from the Warfalla and Qadhadhfa tribes.

Despite the restrictions on the burial site, hundreds of mourners from across Libya traveled to the city to participate in the funeral prayers. The security directorate issued a public statement thanking the citizens for their cooperation and for maintaining order during the sensitive ceremony.

Calls for Calm Prior to the burial, the Gaddafi family had issued a public plea on Thursday, urging the Libyan people to respect the law and maintain public order. They emphasized the importance of avoiding any actions that could destabilize the current security situation.

Ahmed Qaddaf al-Dam, a prominent figure and cousin of the late leader, provided the first public comments from the family, mourning Saif al-Islam as a martyr and calling for national unity in the face of the tragedy.

As the investigation continues, the assassination of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi marks a volatile new chapter in Libya’s political landscape, leaving the international community and local factions on high alert.