Body seen in secret mortuary could solve 50-year mystery of vanished religious leader

A body discovered in a secret Libyan mortuary could potentially solve the 50-year mystery surrounding the disappearance of Musa al-Sadr, a revered Lebanese Shia leader. New evidence from a BBC investigation suggests that the remains may belong to Sadr, who vanished in 1978 during a trip to Libya. The breakthrough stems from a photograph taken in 2011 by journalist Kassem Hamadé, who accessed a hidden mortuary in Tripoli amid the Arab Spring uprising. He found 17 bodies, one of which resembled Sadr and showed signs of execution, such as a damaged skull. Advanced facial recognition analysis conducted by Prof Hassan Ugail at Bradford University compared the mortuary image with photos of Sadr, yielding a high probability match. The algorithm scored in the 60s, indicating a strong likelihood that the body is Sadr’s or a close relative. Musa al-Sadr disappeared on August 31, 1978, after being invited to meet Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. His vanishing sparked numerous conspiracy theories, with some believing he was killed, while others, including his political party Amal, claim he is still alive in Libyan custody. The investigation faced significant challenges, including the detention of the BBC team by Libyan intelligence for six days, underscoring the case’s sensitivity. Libya’s divided political landscape, with remnants of Gaddafi’s regime, complicates further inquiry. Historically, Sadr was a key figure in advocating for Shia rights in Lebanon and had potential influence on the Iranian Revolution. His moderate stance might have altered the region’s trajectory, making his disappearance a critical event in Middle Eastern history. Despite the facial recognition results, Sadr’s son and Amal officials reject the findings, insisting on his survival. This belief holds emotional power for many Lebanese Shia, who annually commemorate his disappearance. This development offers the most compelling evidence yet that Sadr was killed, possibly on Gaddafi’s orders, influenced by Iranian hardliners or other factors. However, definitive proof through DNA testing was lost due to a “technical error” when hair follicles collected in 2011 were not properly analyzed. The story highlights ongoing mysteries in international relations and the difficulties in uncovering truth in politically volatile regions. While this may bring some closure, full resolution remains elusive without cooperation from Libyan authorities or new evidence.