Former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi purportedly shot Imam Musa Sadr twice in the chest, after the prominent Lebanese Shia cleric described the so-called “Green Book” as “ridiculous” and its author as a “lunatic,” Iraqi researcher, historian, and media figure Hamid Abdullah has revealed.
Abdullah presented the account of events surrounding the disappearance of Sadr and his two aides, Sheikh Mohammad Yaacoub and journalist Abbas Badreddine, on the online video-sharing platform YouTube.
He asserted that the narrative is fundamentally based on intelligence received by then-Iraqi intelligence services from a Libyan security source, who had direct affiliations with Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.
Abdullah further claimed that documents related to the imam’s disappearance are supposedly still present in Iraq.
According to Abdullah, the thread started with a former Libyan colonel and Baathist named Salim al-Hajani, who sought political asylum in Baghdad. He informed Iraqi intelligence that a high-ranking official in the Libyan external security apparatus, named Mohammad Ahmad al-Adl, who possessed crucial information concerning Gaddafi’s regime.
As a result, a meeting was arranged between Adl and Iraqi officials at the Iraqi embassy in Tunis. The report indicates that Adl subsequently became an informant for Iraqi intelligence, supplying them with various information, including specifics concerning Sadr’s case.
Abdullah asserts that Adl received these details from a female bodyguard of Gaddafi. The origins of the dispute, according to the account presented in the YouTube program, can be traced back to when Gaddafi’s regime was offering financial assistance to multiple organizations in Lebanon during the civil war, including Sadr’s Amal Movement. Simultaneously, Gaddafi was attempting to circulate and promote his so-called “Green Book” outside of Libya. Copies of the book were sent to Lebanon, and Sadr had the opportunity to read one.
The account indicates that Sadr found the content unremarkable. In a private discussion, he referred to the book as “absurd” and labeled its author a “lunatic.” Nevertheless, Libyan intelligence officials, who had “infiltrated the Amal Movement” were able to capture Sadr’s dialogue and relay it to Gaddafi.
On August 25, 1978, the distinguished Lebanese Shia cleric arrived in Libya following an invitation from the Libyan authorities. As per the narrative provided by Abdullah, Gaddafi sought a confidential meeting with Sadr on August 31 at the Bab al-Aziziya compound, excluding his two associates.
In the course of the meeting, Gaddafi directly challenged his guest regarding the reports he had received, inquiring whether he had truly referred to the “Green Book” as a ludicrous publication. Sadr did not shy away or employ flattery; instead, he “boldly expressed his viewpoint, clarifying that the book lacked any valuable theory or idea.”
Upon learning of Sadr’s stance, Gaddafi became enraged and directed a barrage of severe criticisms towards him, even going as far as to disrespect his religious turban by throwing it to the ground. Additionally, Gaddafi labeled Sadr as an “Israeli” operative.
Sadr, nonetheless, maintained his composure and replied to Gaddafi, stating that his destiny would be hellfire. At this juncture, Gaddafi grew even more furious and commanded his guards to restrain him and escort him away.
Abdullah asserts that the Libyan ruler chased them down, called upon a man named Hosni al-Ahrari, drew his firearm, and shot two rounds into Sadr’s chest.
Subsequently, he passed the pistol to Ahrari and instructed him to eliminate Sheikh Mohammad Yaacoub and Abbas Badreddine, who had already been restrained and transported to a different site.
Following the murders, Gaddafi and his inner circle faced the challenge of disposing of the bodies and hiding the evidence.
According to Abdullah, Ahrari was instructed to transport the three bodies and bury them in Bir al-Ghanam region in western Libya.
