Mexico prevented the entry of late Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi’s son Saadi to the country, authorities said on Wednesday.
The plot was discovered on Sept. 6, at the height of pro-democracy protests in the north African nation, was to bring Saadi and other relatives into Mexico on false papers.
Spokeswoman Alejandra Sota said Mexican authorities had broken up a ring involving people from different nationalities, including Mexicans, Canadians and a Danish national who had bought properties in Mexico to be used as “safe houses.”
Several people were arrested over a plan for Saadi Qaddafi and his family to enter Mexico after intelligence authorities got a tip on Sept. 6, Sota said.
It was not clear when the arrests were made.
Sota told a news conference of “the capture and dispersal of a criminal network related to the alleged use of a forged document, people trafficking and organized crime.”
Saadi Qaddafi fled south across the Sahara to Niger as his father’s 42-year rule crumbled in August. Niger has said he would remain in the West African nation until a United Nations travel ban is lifted.
Like many senior members of the Qaddafi regime, Saadi, a businessman and former professional soccer player, was banned from traveling and had his assets frozen by a U.N. Security Council resolution when violence erupted earlier this year.
Interpol has issued a “red notice” requesting member states to arrest Saadi with a view to extradition if they find him in their territory.
Libya’s new leadership wants Saadi Qaddafi to stand trial for crimes allegedly committed while heading the country’s football federation.
Another son, Seif al-Islam, has been captured and the International Criminal Court judges has called on Libya’s new leaders to inform them if and when they intend to hand him over to face charges for crimes against humanity.
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