German authorities have arrested a Libyan man accused of overseeing torture and sexual abuse at a notorious prison in Tripoli, the International Criminal Court said on Friday.
A Libyan man wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity has been arrested in Germany on a sealed International Criminal Court warrant. The suspect, Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, was allegedly a senior figure at Mitiga prison in Tripoli, where thousands of detainees were subjected to torture and sexual violence.
The ICC confirmed El Hishri’s arrest on Wednesday. He will remain in German custody while legal proceedings are underway to transfer him to The Hague.
Prosecutors accuse El Hishri of committing, ordering, or overseeing crimes including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence between February 2015 and early 2020. He is believed to have been a leading member of the Special Deterrence Force, an armed group active during Libya’s civil war.
According to the ICC, Mitiga was the largest detention facility in western Libya. Detainees were held in overcrowded and unhygienic conditions and subjected to brutal treatment, including systematic torture and rape. Both men and women suffered abuse during their time in custody.
The ICC prosecution office called the arrest a significant step in efforts to secure accountability for crimes committed in Libyan detention centers. It said it was prepared to begin trial proceedings and expressed gratitude to witnesses and victims who had come forward during the investigation.
“This development is so needed at a time of unprecedented turmoil in the field of accountability generally and at the ICC specifically,” said Kip Hale, a former UN investigator who documented war crimes in Libya.
El Hishri would be the first Libyan suspect to stand trial at the ICC. The court praised German authorities for executing the arrest warrant and supporting international justice efforts.
Azerbaijan has dispatched a new rail shipment of petroleum products to Armenia, marking a continued resumption of trade following the lifting of long ...
Venezuela has released Former opposition candidate Enrique Marquez and prominent Venezuelan-Spanish rights activist Rocío San Miguel and four other S...
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that the U.S. is “gradually turning away” from some of its allies and “breaking free from internatio...
Tens of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets in Tehran and across at least 28 cities in a wave of anti-government demonstrations, now enter...
Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv early on Friday (9 January) killed at least 4 people, injured at least 19, and caused significant damage to ...
The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday found a militia leader guilty for the first time over atrocities committed in Sudan’s Darfur region more than two decades ago.
Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday opened hearings to confirm charges against fugitive Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony.
The Trump administration on Wednesday sanctioned two judges and two prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC), maintaining its pressure on the tribunal for targeting Israeli officials.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has sentenced two former Anti-Balaka militia leaders from the Central African Republic to lengthy prison terms for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Snow and ice stalled travellers in northwest Europe on Wednesday, forcing around a thousand to spend the night in Amsterdam's Schiphol airport but delighting others who set out to explore a snow-blanketed Paris on sledges and skis.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face a strong response from the United States if its authorities kill protesters amid ongoing unrest.
Snow and ice caused travel chaos in northwest Europe on Wednesday, while others were delighted by the snow-covered streets of Paris, venturing out on sledges and skis.
Iran is now facing a near‑total internet blackout as anti-government protests sweep the country. Major cities including Tehran have seen connectivity drop sharply, leaving millions of residents isolated from online communication.
Hungary’s foreign minister on Wednesday criticised European plans to establish military hubs in Ukraine, saying the move risks pushing Europe closer to a direct confrontation with Russia.
New York City parents could soon have access to free childcare for two-year-old children following a joint announcement made by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday (8 January).
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that the U.S. is “gradually turning away” from some of its allies and “breaking free from international rules”.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 9th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv early on Friday (9 January) killed at least 4 people, injured at least 19, and caused significant damage to residential buildings and critical infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said.
Venezuela has released Former opposition candidate Enrique Marquez and prominent Venezuelan-Spanish rights activist Rocío San Miguel and four other Spanish citizens, local rights group Foro Penal confirmed on Thursday (9 January).
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment