Posted on 09/25/2004 4:49:11 PM PDT by Land_of_Lincoln_John
The youngest son of Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, was involved in a high-speed police chase through central Paris that ended in fisticuffs, according to French officials.
The Porsche-driving Moutassim Gaddafi, 28, nicknamed "Hannibal", was pursued by French police after driving at speed down the Champs Elysees and allegedly jumping a red light early yesterday.
The police eventually stopped his car at about 2am but, as they tried to speak to Mr Gaddafi, two other vehicles drew up. Their occupants, Mr Gaddafi's bodyguards, then tried to step between him and the officers, said police.
An argument followed and one of the officers was hit several times by one of the bodyguards and was slightly injured. He was later examined by a doctor and given four days off work to recover.
Two bodyguards were arrested and taken to a nearby police station. Mr Gaddafi, who has diplomatic immunity, was not detained. He returned to the police station, at about 6.30am, to "protest in vigorous terms" about the detention of the two members of his staff, said a police official.
A delegation of Libyan officials later visited the police to offer a formal apology over the incident, and the bodyguards were then released.
Yesterday, the Paris Prefecture of Police refused to comment, but Frederic Lagache, of the main French police trade union, Alliance, said the incident was "unacceptable".
"Nobody is above the law. The bodyguards overstepped their role and their job by attacking the police," he said.
It is not the first time that Moutassim Gaddafi, who is reported to work for a marine transport company, has been involved in clashes with the law in Europe.
In August 2001, guests at the luxurious Rome Hilton were astonished to see him at the centre of a brawl in which he ended up squirting a fire extinguisher at Italian police.
"Hannibal", who has a reputation as a playboy, had allegedly visited several of the city's nightclubs before returning to the hotel.
Mr Gaddafi, who has diplomatic immunity, was not detained.
Damn. If algore & algore jr hear about this, they'll be movin' to Paris.
If only Billy Carter was still with us. He was tight with the Libyans, and like "Hannibal," despite whatever faults he may have had, Billy knew how to have a good time.
I can believe that!
I can't stand Qaddafi, or the French, but abuse of diplomatic immunity is not a problem suffered uniquely by France. Think UN, NYC, smuggling via diplomatic pouch, unprosecuted drunk driving and accidents, etc., etc.
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