Tunisia to extradite former Libyan PM if fair trial is guaranteed

Tunisian president Moncef Marzouki said Libya has a right to process its former prime minister, however Tunisia will only hand over Mahmoudi to the new Libyan regime if a fair and impartial trial is guaranteed.

Mahmoudi was arrested in Tunisia in September 2011 for illegally entering the country with his family. Human rights groups have asked Tunisia not to extradite him, as he could be subject to rights violations.

Mahmoudi, 70, served as prime minister from March 2006 until he fled the country after Muammar Gaddafi's forces lost control of Tripoli. He is currently in prison, near Tunis, where he is battling against extradition to Libya.

Libya's new government, has pledged to treat all detainees fairly however Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both asked Tunisia not to extradite Mahmoudi because he would be at grave risk of abuse.

His defence team have said that his extradition is not possible until the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees rules on his application for political refugee status in Tunisia.

After Gaddafi's death, Mahmoudi's legal representatives expressed fears that their client's life might be at risk as he may have knowledge of many Libyan state secrets.