Libya: ICC Has Evidence Against Gaddafi's Son

There is "substantial evidence" that Saif al Islam Gaddafi committed crimes against humanity, the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor has said.

Luis Moreno-Ocampo said multiple witnesses had claimed the 39-year-old son of Libya's ousted leader was involved with organising attacks against civilians.

The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) accuses Saif of hiring mercenaries to carry out a plan worked out with his father, who was killed after being captured by Libyan revolutionary fighters more than a week ago.

The ICC has also said Saif was in contact through intermediaries about surrendering for trial.

It is thought mercenaries may now be trying to move Saif to Niger, where other members of his father's fallen regime have already fled.

The aid-reliant country has vowed to respect commitments to the ICC, but it also faces a backlash from Tuareg nomads in its north, if it hands over Saif.

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi was regarded by many in Niger's Saharan areas as a hero for backing past rebellions against the capital.

Mr Moreno-Ocampo said: "There are some people connected with (Saif) that are in touch with people connected with us.

"We have some information that there is a mercenary group trying to help him to move to a different country, so we are trying to prevent this activity.

"Some of them are South Africans allegedly."