afrol News, 9 March - Libyan authorities will lodge a formal complain against Swiss government over the arrest of the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s son last July, local media has reported. Hannibal Gaddafi and his wife were arrested and freed on bail in July following an assault claim by two maids at a five star hotel in Geneva.

A Tripoli lawyer, Charles Poncet, said the Gaddafi’s family will file a complaint in Geneva in the next 15 days, though it remains unclear if the leader with be part of the complaint.

The arrest of Mr Gaddafi sparked a political row with the Swiss government with Tripoli closing some of the Swiss companies and throwing diplomats out of the country.

Switzerland's foreign ministry said authorities acted within international law in the arrest, but admitted that local police could have acted in a more sensitive manner especially to a highly pregnant wife.

Swiss Foreign Ministry had last year blamed Libyan leader for launching a single-minded campaign against Swiss interests in general in retaliation to the arrest of his son and his heavily pregnant wife.

Mr Gaddafi’s wife, Aline, who was pregnant at the time, was hospitalised during police questioning.

Libya's deputy foreign minister for European affairs had also said Tripoli wants not only an apology from Swiss authorities but also the punishment of those who arrested Mr Gaddafi.

In 2005, Hannibal was detained in Paris for allegedly assaulting his companion in a hotel. On several occasion, the police had also stopped him for over speeding at Avenue des Champs-Élysées, known in France as the most beautiful avenue in the world.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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