Squatters move into Gaddafi son's £11million mansion demanding it is 'returned to the Libyan people'

Daily Mail, By DAILY MAIL REPORTER, 9th March 2011

Squatters have taken over an £11million mansion owned by Colonel Gaddafi's son in a protest against the dictator.

The group - calling themselves Topple the Tyrants - have said they will stay in the eight-bedroom Georgian-style house until 'it can be returned to the Libyan people'.

The property, reportedly owned by Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, has been on the rental market for £9,750 per week.

Occupied: Squatters unfurl a banner on the roof of the £11million
property which was on the market until last month

Police said they are monitoring the situation at the Hampstead property - although no arrests have been made.

Property: Saif al-Islam reputedly owns the
Hampstead home which has been taken
over by squatters

The extravagant home, in one of the capital's most exclusive neighbourhoods, is fitted with a swimming pool, sauna and cinema.

It was on the market until last month but was withdrawn and instead put up for rent for more than £500,000 per year.

A banner was unfurled on the property today which said 'Out of Libya Out Of London.

Signs on the property in English and Arabic said 'revolution' and 'solidarity'.

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The occupants told the Evening Standard they were there because they 'didn't trust the British government to properly seize Gaddafi's corrupt assets'.

The British government has seized more than £2billion in assets belonging to the Gaddafi family.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, 38, used to live in the capital when he was a PhD student at the London School of Economics.

Four members of the group had been walking around the rooftop as officers took photos of them.

Police were called after residents in the well-to-do neighbourhood heard the burglar alarm going off.

Banners said 'Solidarity' and told the Gaddafi's to get 'Out of
London' The group have said they will stay until the property is
returned to the Libyan people

Saif’s four-level, double-fronted property has underfloor heating throughout and was bought complete with two dishwashers, microwaves, as well as fridges and freezers.

The property is owned by a company in the Virgin Islands and was bought without a mortgage.

The leader of the group, who gave his name as Montgomery Jones, told the Evening Standard:

'We want to make sure the property goes back into the hand of the Libyan people who deserve it.

'We're here for a serious reason, we're not here to luxuriate: I don't think what we are doing is legal but I don't think it's relevant if you are talking about something this important.'

Squatting: Group in north London home of Seif al-Islam Gaddafi
said they switched on the news as soon as they got in on the extra
large television

Squatters covered their faces as they clambered into the property
and refused to reveal their true identities today

He added that they had been watching the Al Jazeera news channel inside.

The activist refused to say how many people were inside.

The property is believed to be part of £300million of assets in the capital belonging to the Gaddafi family which have been seized.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said they were treating it as a civil and not a criminal matter for the time being.

Police presence: Officers were called to the address but they have
said they are currently treating it as a 'civil matter'