By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 5:21 PM on 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

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

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

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

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

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It was on the market until last month but was withdrawn and instead put up for rent for more than 500,000 per year.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

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

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

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'

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


Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

HOPE THAT THIS HOUSE INVASION IS TREATED IN THE SAME MANNER AS THOSE THAT HAVE PRECEDED IT.

The occupants told the Evening Standard they were there because they 'didn't trust the British government to properly seize Gaddafi's corrupt assets'. - Yet they trusted the British government to give them refugee asylum and benefit cheques..........................

Hope that this home invasion is treated in the same manner as all that preceded it.

Lets forget its Gaddaffi's home, further to previous stories and private homes being infested with squatters, "Police were called after residents in the well-to-do neighbourhood heard the burglar alarm going off" The alarm was going off, ie someone had broken in, "Metropolitan Police said they were treating it as a civil and not a criminal matter", So are they saying its a free for all, if I left my house to go shopping, my alarm goes off, and suddenly I am without a home due to squatters, the police are not going to do anything as its a civil matter. What the hell is going on, squatters/burgalars, do not bother running away when the police arrive, just claim squatters rights, take a european with you so you can get legal advice, and while your at it, take your time ransacking the place, you'll have a few weeks so take your time!!

I do not think anyone from outside of these shores should be allowed to buy property in London or the UK. We have a housing shortage and prices have been artificially inflated in the South east due to despots and russian oligarchs etc. the shoues in this country should be for British people. Now is the time to show some loyalty and look after our own people. I do not agree with squatting and feel strongly about the spate of them in London at the moment. But I have to say in this case, I raised a smile.

POWER to the PEOPLE! The sale of this property would certainly help the more needy in Libya

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