A court in Libya has sentenced Saif al-Islam Gaddafi to death in absentia.<br /><br /> The second son of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi was on trial for war crimes against the Libyan people. He is accused of torturing and killing civilians during a 2011 uprising. He denies the charges.<br /><br /> More than 30 close associates of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi were facing charges. Eight were sentenced to death on similar counts, among them were former Gaddafi-era spy chief Abdullah al-Senussi and ex-Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmudi, who were also sentenced to death.<br /><br /> Saif al-Islam Gaddafi’s verdict was passed in absentia since he has been held by a former rebel group in the Zintan region since 2011. The rebels oppose the Tripoli government, which is not recognised by world powers.
