( CNN ) -- After months in hiding , Saif al-Islam Gadhafi was finally tracked down in Libya 's southern desert by fighters from the western Zintan mountains . Once seen as a potential successor to his slain father , Moammar Gadhafi , Saif al-Islam 's capture may mark the end to hopes held by loyalists that the Gadhafi family might seize power again . As the unrest in Libya began to swell earlier this year , Saif emerged as one of the regime 's most visible defenders . He was the first to address the nation about the unrest and detail a plan to address it . Saif al-Islam later made very public vows to fight to the `` last bullet . '' His alleged involvement in the bloody crackdown led the International Criminal Court to accuse him of crimes against humanity , including murder and persecution . It is not yet clear whether he will be brought to trial in Libya , as many military commanders would like , or handed over to the International Criminal Court in the Hague , in the Netherlands . His support for his father , if not altogether unexpected , surprised some who had previously seen the 39-year-old as the opposite of the elder Gadhafi . Whereas Moammar Gadhafi years ago launched a program to `` destroy imported ideologies , whether they are Eastern or Western , '' his son speaks fluent English , earned his Ph.D. from the London School of Economics , wrote an op-ed in the New York Times and was a frequent go-between in talks with international officials . Moammar rarely went anywhere without an ornate Bedouin tent and wearing distinctive tribal dress . The well-traveled Saif , meanwhile , was more likely to appear in Western business attire : a suit and tie . While the father ran the nation , his son 's main job -- at least before his 2009 appointment as general coordinator , a position like many in the nation 's government with few guidelines -- was heading a charity , the Gadhafi Foundation . And lastly , while the elder Gadhafi was known for his heavy-handed rule in Libya and its restrictions on civil rights and more , Saif fashioned himself as a human rights advocate and pushed for democratic and institutional reforms that could give more power and freedoms to the people -- at least before the popular uprising . Yet for all their differences , Saif 's standing in the world was always defined by his father 's role . While some saw the son as more open to change , there was little question -- particularly after the uprising began -- that his loyalty remained first with his father . At one point during the war , sources close to the elder Gadhafi said that any transition in Libya would have to involve Saif al-Islam , long seen as a possible successor to his father . He denied having any such desire to rule . Saif al-Islam had been on the run since shortly after the fall of his father 's Bab al-Aziziya compound in the capital in August . His promised fight to the end was finally stopped in its tracks by rebels who had pursued him across the desert . His hand apparently bandaged from previous clashes but in good health , his final battle may now mean explaining his family 's actions before a judge and jury . Responding to news of his capture , Luis Moreno-Ocampo , the ICC 's chief prosecutor , said Saif al-Islam had been a principal actor in the violence seen in Libya after February 13 . `` He 's arrested , he 's alive , and now he will face justice . And that is the most important news . '' CNN 's Jomana Karadsheh in Tripoli and Laura Smith-Spark in London contributed to this report .
` ` He 's here , he 's alive , and now he will face trial , '' chief prosecutor says . Saif al - Islam was seen as a potential successor to his father , Mohammed Ali . He studied at the London School of Economics and speaks fluent English . The International Criminal Court accuses him of war crimes .