Swiss Man Released from Libya, Returns to Switzerland

By Yoohwan Kim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

ZURICH, Switzerland – Max Göldi, a 54-year-old businessman, returned to his home in Switzerland on Monday, June 14, after being held for two years in Libya.  The Swiss foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, had announced on Sunday that she had secured the release of Göldi after a diplomatic meeting with the Libyan foreign minister, Moussa Koussa.  On Monday, Calmy-Rey and the Spanish foreign minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, accompanied Göldi back to Switzerland, where he was greeted by his family at Zurich airport.

Göldi with Swiss Foreign Minister Calmy-Rey at Zurich Airport [Photo: World Radio Switzerland]

Photo: Göldi with Swiss Foreign Minister Calmy-Rey at Zurich Airport [Source: World Radio Switzerland]

The release of Göldi marks the resolution of a dispute between Switzerland and Libya that began two years ago, when the Swiss police arrested Hannibal el-Qaddafi, the son of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar el-Qaddafi.  In July 2008, el-Qaddafi and his wife were arrested in Geneva after their servants accused the couple of beating them.  Shortly after el-Qaddafi’s arrest in Switzerland, Göldi and another Swiss businessman, Rachid Hamdani, were arrested in Libya because of alleged visa violations and illegal business activities.  Both Swiss men were prevented from leaving Libya.

After his arrest, Göldi spent time in a Libyan prison, before being released on bail and taking refuge for several months in the Swiss embassy in Tripoli.  In February 2010, Göldi was convicted and was sentenced to four months in jail, while Hamdani was acquitted.  Libyan authorities deny any formal link between el-Qaddafi’s arrest and Göldi’s arrest.

The relations between Switzerland and Libya further deteriorated after Libya cut off all oil supplies to Switzerland and withdrew assets from Swiss banks.  Colonel el-Qaddafi declared a “jihad” on Switzerland, which his officials stated he meant a trade embargo, not a holy war.  In addition, European citizens were banned for several months from visiting Libya, after the Swiss placed travel restrictions on high-ranking Libyans.

On Sunday, Calmy-Rey and Koussa signed a deal aimed to normalize ties between the two countries.  It is reported that el-Qaddafi will receive $1.5 million in compensation for alleged mistreatment by the Swiss police during his arrest.  The Swiss also apologized for the publication of a leaked police photo of el-Qaddafi while he was under arrest.  Calmy-Rey said Göldi’s release from Libya “is the start of the normalization of relations between the two countries.”  Koussa also stated that Libya is ready to move on from their strained relations.  He said, “I would like the Libyan people to forgive the Swiss people who committed this mistake against Hannibal el-Qaddafi.”

For more information, please see:

INDEPENDENT ONLINE – Goeldi Back on Home Soil – 14 June 2010

SWISSINFO – Swiss Man Flies Home After Two-Year Libya Row – 14 June 2010

WORLD RADIO SWITZERLAND – Max Göldi Returns to Switzerland – 14 June 2010

NEW YORK TIMES – Switzerland Secures Release of Businessman From Libya, and Aims to Mend Ties – 13 June 2010

Author: Impunity Watch Archive