The trial of the son of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and dozens of other former regime officials resumed in Tripoli on Sunday , in continued defiance of the International Criminal Court that last week rejected Libya 's plea to try Saif al-Islam Gadhafi domestically . Saif al-Islam Gadhafi , once his father 's heir apparent , has been held in the western mountain city of Zintan by the militiamen who captured him in 2011 . The group has refused to hand him over to the central government , citing security concerns and lawlessness in the capital . He appeared via videolink from a courthouse in Zintan , while more than 20 former officials were in the south Tripoli courtroom . Eight other former regime members being held in Misrata also appeared on a videolink . The officials are facing charges relating to the 2011 revolution and attempts to suppress the uprising , including the killing of protesters , a crime punishable by death . The fourth session of the trial comes less than a week after the ICC 's appeals chamber upheld an earlier decision by the international court demanding that Libya hand over Gadhafi to The Hague . Libya submitted put in a legal request to try Gadhafi domestically in 2012 , but it was rejected by the ICC last year and later appealed by the North African country . Wednesday 's decision by the ICC appeals chamber is a final . The ICC had indicted both Gadhafi and former spy chief Abdullah al-Senussi for alleged war crimes in 2011 . Al-Senussi , who was extradited to Libya from Mauritania two years ago , also appeared in court on Sunday , looking frail and as if he had lost weight . Although the international court granted Libya the right to try al-Senussi last year , his ICC- appointed lawyer was appealing the ruling . Libya has insisted that unlike under the Gadhafi regime , the defendants will receive a fair trial . But rights groups have raised concerns about the ongoing trial , especially the use of videolink that they say does not allow them to communicate with their lawyers before and during sessions . Other concerns include limited access of some defendants to legal counsel , and some defendants still have no lawyers . During Sunday 's session Gadhafi still did not have a court-appointed lawyer , and al-Senussi 's attorney was absent . Without the presence of defense lawyers , the two did not enter a plea or respond to charges read by the judge . The other defendants denied the charges . Some of them became emotional as they addressed the court . Buzeid Dorda , the former head of foreign intelligence , denied the charges calling them `` fabricated '' and `` politically motivated . '' The trial was adjourned to June 22 after the prosecution and defense attorneys requested more time to prepare their cases . Libya 's government , which has been in the midst of its worst political and security crisis since the revolution , has not yet commented on the ICC 's latest decision . Legal experts say the country could face consequences for its refusal to hand over Gadhafi to The Hague , but only if steps are taken by the international community . `` Sanctions can be imposed on Libya by the UN Security Council for Libya 's non-compliance , and Libya 's membership in various international organizations could be suspended and/or made conditional on Libya surrendering Saif Gadhafi to the ICC , if states wish to insist on it , '' John Jones , Gadhafi 's ICC-appointed defense lawyer , told CNN on Saturday . `` Therefore the matter is in the hands of the international community , in particular states like the UK and France , which are both members of the ICC and permanent members of the Security Council . '' Jones insisted that Libya must hand Gadhafi over to the ICC , saying his rights have been `` gravely violated '' since his capture more than two years ago . Violations include Gadhafi being held in solitary confinement in a secret location and being denied visits by friends and family , according to Jones . `` Libya is paralyzed and unable to protect the rights and security of Libyans , including judges , lawyers and judicial police and detainees , much less the rights of a person like Mr. Gadhafi , '' Jones said . Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch , who have also raised concerns about the deteriorating security situation in the country , have also renewed their call for Libya to hand over Saif al-Islam to The Hague . `` The ICC appeals decision only reinforces Libya 's long overdue obligation to surrender Saif Gadhafi to The Hague , '' said Richard Dicker , international justice director . `` Libyan authorities should show the same respect for ICC procedures as they did when they first engaged the court on Gadhafi 's case . '' Crowds rally in Libya to support retired general 's campaign . Libya : Why it 's all gone so badly wrong .
Saif al - Islam Gadhafi continues to be tortured while being held in western Libya . Dozens of other # ##i regime members are on trial in Tripoli . The International Criminal Court rejected Libya 's bid to free the younger Gadhafi .