A haunting video capturing the brutal final moments of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has resurfaced on social media, reigniting discussions about the controversial circumstances of his death.
The footage, originally published by GlobalPost, was shared in a recent X post by user TheArmchairAnalyst (@Sitting_Analyst) on April 17, 2024, showing Gaddafi being beaten, abused, and paraded through the streets before his execution on October 20, 2011.
Gaddafi, who ruled Libya for 42 years, was captured by National Transitional Council (NTC) forces in his hometown of Sirte after months of conflict during the 2011 Libyan Civil War, which was part of the broader Arab Spring uprisings.
The video depicts a chaotic scene in a desert-like setting, with armed fighters surrounding Gaddafi as he is dragged and assaulted.
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Reports from the time, including accounts from Al Jazeera and the BBC, indicate that Gaddafi was subjected to severe abuse, with some allegations suggesting he was sodomized before being killed. The NTC initially claimed he died from injuries sustained in crossfire, but the graphic nature of the footage and conflicting accounts led to widespread suspicion of an extrajudicial killing.
The resurfaced video has renewed scrutiny over the events of that day. According to a 2011 Wikipedia entry updated in 2025, Gaddafi had fled Tripoli in August 2011 as NTC forces closed in, eventually taking refuge in Sirte.
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On October 20, a NATO airstrike targeted his convoy, forcing him to seek shelter in a nearby house, which was then shelled by NTC fighters. Gaddafi was captured alive but was killed shortly afterward.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) later raised concerns that his death may constitute a war crime, with chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo stating in December 2011, “The way in which Mr. Gaddafi was killed creates suspicions of… war crimes.”
Human rights organizations, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, called for a thorough investigation into the incident, citing potential violations of international law.
The NTC promised to investigate but faced criticism for burying Gaddafi’s body quickly without an autopsy, further fueling controversy. Saadi Gaddafi, one of Muammar Gaddafi’s surviving sons, expressed outrage at the time, stating through an attorney that the killing demonstrated the new Libyan leadership’s inability to uphold fair trials.
The reappearance of this video serves as a grim reminder of the violent end to Gaddafi’s regime and the unresolved questions surrounding his death. As Libya continues to grapple with political instability more than a decade later, the footage underscores the challenges of achieving justice and accountability in the aftermath of conflict.
Watch Video below; viewers discretion is advised.
