Tripoli, April 28(DIM News): A Libyan court Sunday reopened thetrial of dozens of senior figures from Muammar Gaddafi's government, with Saifal-Islam Gaddafi, the slain leader's son, appearing in court via a video-link.
The defendants arefacing charges of systematic rape, advocating violence and undermining nationalunity during the war that toppled the former government, Xinhua reported.
TV footage from theTripoli south court showed Saif al-Islam answering the questions raised by thejudges.
He called the court"illegal," saying he did not have access to a lawyer to defendhimself.
Saif al-Islam iscurrently held by militias in the western city of Zintan. The armed group hasrefused to transfer him to Tripoli without compensation.
The former head ofintelligence Abdullah Senussi was also among the senior aides sitting behindbars during the proceedings. He called for help from foreign lawyers, sayingthat he "does not trust Libyan ones".
The court sessionlasted about three hours and was adjourned to May 11, allowing Saif al-Islamtime to appoint a lawyer.
IANS