Lawsuit filed against Gadhafi over Lebanese cleric’s disappearance

By: Karim Tellawi

BEIRUT, Lebanon: The family of a Lebanese Shia cleric Ayatullah Mussa As-Sadr missing for 26 years has filed a complaint against the Libyan leadership for kidnapping the Ayatullah in 1978 and forging evidence of his presence in Tripoli, judicial sources said.

According to the sources Ayatullah’s son Sadruddine As-Sadr along with the wives of the Ayatullah's two companions who were abducted with him filed the lawsuit, against Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi and 17 members of his government, in front of the Lebanese judiciary on Monday.

They presented fresh evidence to the judiciary, namely a video and an audio cassette, clippings of incriminating speeches made by Gadhafi and reports from Amnesty International, London-based human rights watch group.

Lebanon's public prosecutor Adnan Addoum said a case brought against Libya was closed in 1986 because of a lack of evidence.

“The information we have is very serious,” said lawyer Chibli Mallat, who represents the families of the disappeared, adding that the families might consider taking the case to an international court. “But for now, we believe that the Lebanese judiciary is suited to study the case.”

Lebanese Shias have long held Libya responsible for the disappearance of Ayatullah Mussa As-Sadr and two of his aides Mohammed Yacoub and Abbas Badruddine during an official visit to Libya in 1978. Libya says As-Sadr, founder of the Shia Amal movement and President of Supreme Shiite Islamic council in Lebanon, left the country safely.

“The political implications are none of our concern… Like any big case, it is bound to have implications. But we are not concerned about this, what we are concerned about is to bring justice and shed light on the fate of the imam and his companions,” Mallat said.

The lawsuit might strain even further bilateral relations with Tripoli, which has repeatedly denied the accusations and recalled its ambassador from Beirut earlier this year to protest the accusations from top Lebanese officials.

Accusations have come repeatedly from Speaker Nabih Berri, the Ayatullah's successor as leader of the Amal Movement.

Ayatullah As-Sadr was recognized for his moderate preaching throughout the Arab world.

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