A Libyan appeals court has overturned a Swiss businessman's conviction on a charge of violating residency laws, but other charges remain pending against him and another Swiss man in a second case. Libya's prosecution of Rachid Hamdani and the other Swiss man, Max Goeldi, has been at the center of a diplomatic dispute between the two countries.
The row began in 2008 when Swiss police arrested Hannibal Gadhafi, the son of Libya's leader, and his wife for allegedly beating their servants in a Geneva hotel.
Soon after, Libya arrested the two Swiss men. Hamdani's lawyer, Saleh al-Zahif, says Sunday's court ruling overturned Hamdani's conviction. The court is to decide Monday on Goeldi's appeal against a conviction on the same charge.