Gaddafi’s son al-Saadi extradited back to Tripoli by Niger

Niger yesterday extradited to Libya one of the late Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's sons, al-Saadi, who fled as his father's regime collapsed in 2011 and who was under house arrest in the West African nation.

The Tripoli authorities said Saadi - one of the deposed leader's eight children - would be dealt with "in accordance with international law".

A Libyan official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Saadi arrived at Tripoli airport early yesterday and was transferred to a jail in the capital. Shortly after the news broke, photo circulated on social media showing Saadi in a blue prison uniform while Libyan guards shaved off his hair and beard.

Saadi was known for his love of professional soccer and a playboy lifestyle. His brief career in Italian football ended after a failed drug test. He headed Libya's Football Federation and was also the former head of the country's special forces.

Along with most Gaddafi loyalists and officials, Saadi is wanted for his role in curbing protests against his father's rule and the killing of protesters.

But unlike his brother, Saif al-Islam, who was groomed to be Gaddafi's successor, Saadi is not sought by the International Criminal Court.