Latest news with #ElHishri
Libya Herald
26 minutes ago
- Politics
- Libya Herald
Office of Prosecutor of International Criminal Court welcomes Germany's arrest of Libyan suspect
In a statement released last Friday (18 July), the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court welcomed the arrest of the suspect, Mr Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, on 16 July 2025 by authorities of the Federal Republic of Germany pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued by the ICC. The statement continued: ''A Libyan national, Mr El Hishri was arrested in the context of the Office's ongoing investigation in the Situation in Libya. The Office looks forward to Mr El Hishri's transfer to the ICC in due course. On the basis of its independent and impartial investigation, the Office alleges that Mr El Hishri, a senior official of the armed group Special Deterrence Forces, known as SDF / RADA, is criminally responsible for numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Libya, in or near Mitiga Prison, from around February 2015 to, at least, early 2020. During that time, Mr El Hishri was one of the most senior officials of Mitiga Prison, where thousands of persons were detained for prolonged periods. The Office filed an application for a warrant for his arrest on 3 April 2025. In the warrant of arrest it issued on 10 July 2025, Pre-Trial Chamber I agreed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr El Hishri is criminally responsible for crimes including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence. The arrest of Mr El Hishri is an important development in the Office's efforts to seek accountability in the Situation in Libya, particularly for crimes in detention facilities, in accordance with its renewed strategy under UN Security Council resolution 1970 (2011) and Libya's declaration accepting ICC jurisdiction with respect to alleged crimes in its territory from 2011 to the end of 2027. In recent reports to the UN Security Council, the Office had identified the arrest and trial of a suspect in this situation in 2025 as a key priority. In coordination with the Registry, we have now taken a key step towards realising this priority. The Office has identified crimes committed in detention facilities as a key line of investigation. It has been able to effectively implement this strategic approach through the excellent work of the Libya Unified Team, under the guidance and leadership of Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan. The Office is grateful to Registry partners who have effectively supported the arrest, in close coordination with the OTP's newly-established Tracking and Information Fusion Section. This is an important moment. We can now look towards the first judicial proceedings in the Libya situation before the Court. The Prosecution stands ready for Mr El Hishri's trial at the ICC. Finally, and most importantly, the Office wishes to thank all the victims and witnesses from Libya who have stepped forward to cooperate in the investigation. Their strength, courage and commitment make these important developments possible. The Office's investigation in the Situation in Libya continues. The work is proceeding across multiple lines of inquiry, including more action with respect to crimes in detention facilities. In pursuing further accountability in this situation, the Office continues to rely on the partnership of national authorities, regional and international organisations, and the communities affected by Rome Statute crimes. ''
Business Insider
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
Top ICC fugitive linked to war crimes, prison abuses in Libya arrested in Germany
A Libyan man, Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri—also known as 'Al-Buti'—was arrested in Germany on July 16, 2025, under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes committed in Libya. The allegations against El Hishri include murder, torture, and rape conducted over a five-year period starting in 2015. El Hishri was affiliated with the Special Deterrence Force (SDF), aligned with Libya's interior ministry He will be transferred to The Hague to face ICC proceedings El Hishri is suspected of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity while serving as a senior official at the Mitiga Prison complex in Tripoli, Libya. The allegations include acts of murder, torture, and rape, either carried out by him directly or under his oversight. These crimes are believed to have occurred over a five-year period starting from 2015. There has been no public response or comment from El Hishri regarding the accusations. The Mitiga detention facility, located in Libya's capital, has been the subject of extensive human rights concerns. Amnesty International has described it as a site of 'horrific violations committed with total impunity.' Among those detained at Mitiga are migrants attempting to reach Europe, who are often held under brutal conditions. El Hishri was affiliated with the Special Deterrence Force (SDF), also referred to as Rada, a group aligned with the interior ministry of the internationally recognised government based in Tripoli. His arrest follows a broader investigation by the ICC into crimes committed during Libya's ongoing conflict. Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the court has issued 11 arrest warrants related to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the country. Ongoing ICC efforts and Libya's cooperation The ICC's involvement began after the United Nations Security Council referred the situation in Libya to the Court in February 2011. In its resolution, the Council condemned the use of force against civilians and widespread human rights abuses, including the repression of peaceful demonstrators. Although 11 warrants have been issued, eight are still pending. Several suspects remain at large, including Osama Najim, also known as Almasri, who was allegedly the director of the Mitiga detention centre. Najim was released earlier this year by Italian authorities due to what was described as a legal technicality. The ICC stated that his release occurred without its prior notice or consultation and has since issued another warrant for his arrest. El Hishri will remain in German custody while preparations are made for his transfer to The Hague to face proceedings at the ICC. His case adds to the court's ongoing efforts to pursue accountability for crimes committed during Libya's post-2011 turmoil. In a statement, the ICC expressed gratitude to the Libyan victims and witnesses who contributed to the investigation, acknowledging their courage and cooperation as instrumental to recent developments. In May 2025, Libya formally accepted the ICC's jurisdiction over crimes committed on its territory from 2011 through the end of 2027. The country remains politically divided, with power fragmented between rival governments and militia-controlled territories since Gaddafi's ousting.
Libya Review
2 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Review
ICC Welcomes Arrest of Libyan War Crimes Suspect Khaled El Hishri in Germany
The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has welcomed the arrest of Libyan national Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri in Germany on 16 July 2025. El Hishri, a senior official of the Special Deterrence Forces (Radaa), is accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity at Mitiga Prison between 2015 and 2020. In a statement, the ICC confirmed that German authorities carried out the arrest under a warrant issued by the Court's Pre-Trial Chamber I on 10 July 2025. The OTP filed its request for El Hishri's arrest in April 2025, citing allegations of murder, torture, rape, and sexual violence. The ICC noted that El Hishri played a leading role at Mitiga Prison, where thousands of detainees were held for prolonged periods under inhumane conditions. 'We look forward to his transfer to the ICC in due course,' the OTP said, adding that his arrest marks a significant step in the Court's efforts to secure accountability for crimes committed in Libya. The investigation into crimes at detention facilities in Libya remains a priority under the ICC's renewed strategy following UN Security Council resolution 1970 (2011). The Prosecutor's office highlighted that this arrest aligns with its objective to bring key suspects to trial in 2025. The OTP expressed gratitude to Libyan victims and witnesses for their courage and cooperation. 'Their strength and commitment make these developments possible,' the statement added. The ICC continues to pursue multiple lines of inquiry in Libya, focusing on serious human rights violations and war crimes. The Court reaffirmed its readiness to proceed with El Hishri's trial once he is transferred to The Hague. Tags: germanyiccKhaled El HishrilibyaWar Crimes
Euronews
2 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Libyan man accused of war crimes arrested in Germany, ICC says
A Libyan man accused by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of crimes against humanity and war crimes was arrested in Germany on a sealed arrest warrant, the court announced on Friday. Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri was allegedly one of the most senior officials at Mitiga Prison in Tripoli where thousands of people were detained. He was arrested on Wednesday based on a warrant issued by the court on 10 July. "He is suspected of having committed directly himself, ordered or overseen crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence, allegedly committed in Libya from February 2015 to early 2020," the ICC said in a statement. The court's prosecution office hailed the arrest as "an important development" in efforts to seek accountability for crimes in detention facilities in Libya. It said it was ready for his trial, which would be the first of a Libyan suspect at the court. The office also thanked "all the victims and witnesses from Libya who have stepped forward to cooperate in the investigation. Their strength, courage and commitment make these important developments possible." El Hishri will remain in custody in Germany until legal proceedings to have him transported to The Hague are completed. The court relies on other countries to execute its arrest warrants. It paid tribute to German authorities for detaining El Hishri. "I thank the national authorities for their strong and consistent cooperation with the Court, including leading to this recent arrest," ICC Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler said in a statement. The United Nations Security Council called on the ICC to open an investigation in Libya in 2011 amid violence that led to the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi and morphed into a crippling civil war. The court issued a warrant for the long-time Libyan strongman, but he was killed by rebels before he could be detained. The court has arrest warrants out for eight other Libyan suspects, including one of Gaddafi's sons. Earlier this year, authorities in Libya accepted the court's jurisdiction over the country from 2011 through to the end of 2027.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Libyan accused of war crimes arrested in Germany, ICC says
Agency: PTI Last Updated: The Hague, Jul 18 (AP) A Libyan accused by the International Criminal Court of crimes against humanity and war crimes has been arrested in Germany on a sealed arrest warrant, the court announced Friday. Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri was allegedly one of the most senior officials at Miriga Prison in Tripoli where thousands of people were detained. He was arrested Wednesday based on a warrant issued by the court on July 10. 'He is suspected of having committed directly himself, ordered or overseen crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence, allegedly committed in Libya from February 2015 to early 2020," the ICC said in a statement. El Hishri will remain in custody in Germany until legal proceedings to have him transported to The Hague are completed. The court relies on other countries to execute its arrest warrants. It paid tribute to German authorities for detaining El Hishri. 'I thank the national authorities for their strong and consistent cooperation with the Court, including leading to this recent arrest," ICC Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler said in a statement. The United Nations Security Council called on the ICC to open an investigation in Libya in 2011 amid violence that led to the toppling of Moammar Gadhafi and morphed into a crippling civil war. The court issued a warrant for the longtime Libyan strongman, but he was killed by rebels before he could be detained. The court has arrest warrants out for eight other Libyan suspects, including one of Gadhafi's sons. Earlier this year, authorities in Libya accepted the court's jurisdiction over the country from 2011 through to the end of 2027. (AP) SCY SCY (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 18, 2025, 15:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
