Government releases Gaddafi's last premier on health grounds

Associated Press

CAIRO (AP) — Libya's U.N. backed government has released former ruler Moammar Gaddafi's last prime minister who was sentenced to death by firing squad in 2015, citing his poor health and need for medical care outside prison.

The minister of justice released a statement Saturday ordering the release of al-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmoudi, jailed since 2012 on grounds of crimes related to the 2011 uprising that led to the ouster and killing of Gaddafi.

The minister said that al-Mahmoudi's release came out of "compassionate considerations and human mercy."