On 25 May, Hannibal Qadhafi reignited the controversy surrounding the killing of his brother Saif al‑Islam Qadhafi with an audio statement, describing Saif’s killing as a ‘heinous crime’ that has gone unpunished more than 100 days later. He criticized the stalled investigation, the absence of a clear official or social stance from Zintan – where the incident occurred – and what he sees as a troubling silence despite early claims that suspects had been identified.
In a recorded message, he accused Zintan and its social constituency of bearing responsibility, arguing that Libyan and Arab customs reject betrayal of a guest and questioning how someone who lived among them for fifteen years could be killed without public condemnation. He urged the Tripoli Attorney General to clarify its position or acknowledge the difficulty of proceeding, stressing that Saif al‑Islam should be treated not as a tribal figure but as a national figure, and that the case has become a matter of public concern requiring transparency and accountability. In the evening, Qadhafi family sources confirmed the authenticity of the statement.
On 26 May, Zintan youth began a rejection campaign of Hannibal’s blame on social media, refusing to hold the city responsible for the murder. In contrast, the Gharyan Youth League supported Hannibal’s statement and called for revealing the circumstances.
Supporters of the Ghaddadfa tribe reinforced the statement, recalling the tribe’s earlier warning that it would consider ‘open options’ after the 100‑day mark.
On 27 May, members of the Warfallah tribe tried to mobilize in support of Hannibal’s call on social media.