Tunisian court agrees to extradite ex-Libyan FM

A Tunisian appeals court has accepted a request by the new Libyan authorities to extradite former Libyan Prime Minister Baghdadi Mahmoudi, local Radio Mosaique FM reported Tuesday. During the hearing on Tuesday, a number of Libyans were seen holding banners and posters, calling for the extradition of the former Libyan premier, whose extradition was requested by Libya's now ruling National Transitional Council who accused him of corruption and power abuse. Mahmoudi, who remained supportive to Libya's deceased leader Muammar Gaddafi until the late stage of his rule, was arrested on Sept. 22 under a warrant from the Libyan new rulers, as the ex- prime minister was trying to cross into neighboring Algeria along with two of his aides. Mahmoudi's Tunisian lawyers have called early this month for his release pending a hearing on Nov. 22 when the court would examine Libya's request to extradite him. The defense team have said that their client is sought by Libyan authorities for political reasons, adding they opposed the extradition request fearing for his life in Libya. It also expressed concern at Mahmoudi's deteriorating health. Last week, Amnesty International urged Tunisia not to extradite Mahmoudi, saying he risked being the target of serious human rights violations, including torture and possible extra-judicial execution. Tunisia and Libya are bound by an extradition treaty signed in 1961.