Gaddafi son appears by video conferencing for trial in TripoliApril 28, 2014 - 09:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The son of the late former dictator Moammar Gaddafi and others appeared Sunday, April 27, by video conferencing for a trial in the capital, Tripoli, Libya's official news agency said, according to the Associated Press. Seif al-Islam Gaddafi appeared at the second session of his trial via a video screen from the city of Zintan, where he has been held by a militia since November 2011. When the judge asked him if he had a lawyer, al-Islam responded that he did not, saying, "I have God." Meanwhile, former spy chief Abdullah al-Senoussi asked to be defended by a lawyer from outside Libya. Eight other defendants also appeared by video link from the city of Misrata. It is unclear why the government has been unable to transfer the detainees not present to the capital to attend the trial. The last prime minister under Gaddafi, Al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi, was also tried Sunday. The 37 defendants face a variety of charges mainly relating to the killing of protesters during the 2011 civil war that led to Gadhafi's ouster. Charges include recruiting mercenaries, who were given Libyan nationality, planning and carrying out attacks on civilian targets from the air, forming armed groups, and shooting into crowds of demonstrators, among others. Al-Senoussi is accused of using poisonous gas in the city of Brega, bombing a gas station, and a number of defendants are charged with cutting off the water supply to several Western cities. Journalists were prevented from entering the courtroom but watched the proceedings on a screen in a room next door. Women who attended were required to wear head scarves. The session was adjourned to May 11. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |