A computer scientist at a university in the north of England is studying an image of a corpse—attempting to solve a mystery that has gripped the Middle East for nearly 50 years.
The digitized photo of a decomposed face is set to undergo analysis through advanced algorithms.
The original image was captured by a journalist in 2011, who reported seeing the body in a secret mortuary in Libya, indicating it could belong to the influential cleric Musa al-Sadr, who vanished during a trip to Libya in 1978.
His disappearance has sparked numerous conspiracy theories, with some asserting he was murdered and others believing he is alive, held against his will in Libya. Sadr's status among his followers has made the investigation particularly sensitive; he is regarded as a significant figure akin to the revered 12th imam in Twelver Shi'ism.
The original journalist stated the body was notably tall, matching Sadr’s height of 6 feet 5 inches, though the facial image bore few identifiable features.
Prof. Hassan Ugail from Bradford University will use facial recognition technology to determine the identity of the corpse found in the Libyan facility alongside Kassem Hamadé, the journalist who discovered the remains. Around 17 bodies were found in the mortuary, and only one appeared to resemble Sadr.
Hamadé reported that the corpse had a skull fracture consistent with violent death, elevating suspicions concerning Sadr’s possible fate.
Through rigorous testing, Prof. Ugail's team determined that the photograph of the corpse scored in the high 60s, suggesting a “high probability” of it being Sadr. This leads to critical discussions on Sadr’s implications on Middle Eastern politics and history, particularly during pivotal moments surrounding the Iranian revolution.
Despite findings showing high likelihoods, doubts linger among Sadr's followers; they cling to beliefs suggesting he remains alive. Investigations into the secretive circumstances of his disappearance and the authorities' reticence have made uncovering the truth an arduous journey.
