Gaddafison plotted Mexico escape

ONE of Muammar Gaddafi’s sons tried to escape from Libya into Mexico under a false identity, it has emerged.

Mexican government officials said the elaborate plan for al-Saadi Gaddafi involved two Mexicans, a Canadian and a Danish suspect.

The plot was uncovered in early September as al-Saadi was fleeing Libya shortly after his father’s downfall. He never made it to Mexico, but did reach the West African country of Niger, where he has been living.

The plotters jetted into Mexico, opened bank accounts and bought properties meant to be used as safe houses in several parts of the country, including one at the resort of Bahia de las Banderas on Mexico’s Pacific coast.

“The large economic resources which this criminal organisation has, or had, allowed them to contract private flights,” Mexican Interior Secretary Alejandro Poire said.

Mr Poire said the leader of the plot was Canadian Cynthia Vanier. He said she had been detained on November 10 and is being held, along with three other suspects, under house arrest on suspicion of falsifying documents.

Mr Poire said: “[Vanier] was the direct contact with the Gaddafi family and the leader of the group, and presumably was the person in charge of the finances of the operation.”

The plot also allegedly involved a Mexican woman.

A Danish man was “the logistic liaison” for the plan.