Gaddafi’s son leaves Geneva

"Hannibal" Gaddafi, one of the sons of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi, is reported to have left Geneva with his wife, Aline, after they were charged with assault.

The Gaddafi couple were freed by Swiss police on Thursday after posting bail of SFr500,000 ($490,000).

Aline’s lawyer said on Friday that the two had “probably” left Switzerland altogether.

However, a lawyer for Hannibal, whose real name is Motassim Bilal Gaddafi, told public television that there was no reason for him to flee and that he wanted to prove his position to the legal authorities.

No legal restrictions were placed on their movements when they were granted bail.

Hannibal was arrested at a five-star hotel on Tuesday and spent two nights in a court cell.

The couple were charged by a magistrate with inflicting physical injuries and using threats and force against two of their staff, who lodged a formal complaint.

Aline Gaddafi, who is nine months pregnant, was hospitalised during police questioning. The two had come to Geneva on July 5 for the birth of their child.

The servants had a medical certificate which proved their injuries, but the couple denied having inflicted them, one of Hannibal’s lawyers said.

Hannibal’s sister, Aisha, called his arrest illegal, describing it as an act of hatred and anti-Arab racism, and implied that Libya would take retribution.

The Swiss foreign ministry has refused to comment on the matter.