TRIPOLI, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- A Libyan court on Sunday postponed until Nov. 16 the trial of ex-officials who served under former leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The trial of 23 defendants took place in Tripoli's al-Hadba prison. However, the first defendant, Saif Al-Gaddafi, did not appear at the session for technical reasons that prevented linking the closed circuit of the courtroom of the city of Zintan where he is jailed.

The judge decided, in closed session for deliberation among the members of the court, to postpone the trial to Nov. 16.

The defendants face a number of charges, including crimes of logistical support for the former regime in order to pre-empt the February uprising in 2011, administrative and financial corruption, genocide and incitement to rape, issuing orders to shoot at unarmed demonstrators, hiring mercenaries, mobilizing troops and force, organizing armed formations, as well as looting and vandalism.