Middle East Eye published an exclusive report on the family of Libyan Major General Khalifa Haftar quietly liquidating its holdings of American real estate, selling homes in Virginia, in addition to a country house and other properties worth millions of dollars as the legal problems of this retired commander escalate.
On March 21, Uqba bin Haftar, a resident of the United States, sold a 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom home of about 344 square meters in Great Falls County for $2.55 million, according to public records reviewed by the British site.
Middle East Eye stated that the sale came less than two weeks after a US judge ordered the proceeding of a lawsuit accusing Haftar of war crimes, after a hiatus in legal procedures that lasted for several months.
Since then, the Libyan general's legal prospects have worsened.
On July 29, a federal judge issued a hypothetical ruling against Haftar, finding him responsible for war crimes.
The court is now assessing the plaintiffs' compensation package.
Victims and their lawyers are targeting the properties of the Haftar family.
Haftar maintains a huge collection of international real estate, as well as at least one mansion in an upscale suburb of the Jordanian capital Amman, along with properties in the UAE, according to a family member.
But US holdings have come under closer scrutiny
The British website pointed out that Haftar maintains a huge collection of international real estate, in addition to at least one palace in an upscale suburb of the Jordanian capital, Amman, along with real estate in the Emirates, according to a family member.
But US holdings have come under closer scrutiny.
It is noteworthy that the prosecution of Haftar is carried out under the Protection of Victims of Torture Law of 1991. The law allows family members - victims of extrajudicial killings and torture committed by individuals acting in an official government capacity - to prosecute those responsible.
According to court documents, the Haftar family owned at least 17 properties in the Virginia area alone.
The property was first reported in a Wall Street Journal article that cited an asset tracking document compiled by private consultants provided by the Libyan government.
The site revealed that 9 properties have been sold in the Virginia area, including the house in Great Falls Virginia, according to public real estate records.
According to court documents, Haftar personally owns only two properties in the United States.
The other property in Virginia is owned by a limited liability company controlled by his son Uqba.
"Middle East Eye" stated that at least two of Haftar's sons (Saddam and Khaled) are officers of their father's alleged "Libyan National Army".
Saddam was his father's main envoy on trips to the UAE and Israel, according to an informed source.