Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of Libya’s former dictator, has been shot and killed by unidentified gunmen at his home in Zintan. His assassination serves as a grim reminder of the cycle of violence that continues to plague the country.

To Libya’s current ruling elite, Saif al-Islam was viewed as a significant threat. He represented a populist alternative for those who felt left behind, and he tapped into a sense of nostalgia for the stability and security of the past.

His death also marks the end of a long-standing legal battle. He was the subject of an outstanding warrant from the International Criminal Court for crimes committed during the 2011 uprising. Now, the investigation into his murder and the way his supporters choose to memorialize him could play a major role in shaping Libya’s political future.