BREAKING NEWS: Gaddafi’s son sentenced to death over war crimes

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe arrives on January 31, 2010 for the opening of the three-day AU summit in Addis Ababa. Libyan leader and outgoing African Union (AU) Chaiman of the AU Moamer Kadhafi reluctantly handed over the presidency of the AU to Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika. AFP PHOTO/ SIMON MAINA

A court in Libya has sentenced Col Muammar Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam, and eight others to death over war crimes linked to the 2011 revolution.

They were on trial along with dozens of other close associates of the deposed leader, accused of suppressing protests during the uprising.

Saif al-Islam was not present in court and gave evidence via video link.

He is being held by a former rebel group from the town of Zintan that refuses to release him.

Former head of intelligence for the Gaddafi regime, Abdallah al-Senousi, is among those also facing the death penalty, as is former PM Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi.

They will be given the right to appeal, according to the BBC’s John Simpson, who is in Tripoli.

Other defendants have received sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment. – BBC