Latest news with #SpecialDeterrenceForce
Business Insider
4 days 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 Observer
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
UN Mission calls for immediate de-escalation in Tripoli, warns against violence
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has called for an immediate de-escalation and an end to military mobilizations in the capital, Tripoli, and its surrounding areas. In a statement released Wednesday evening, the mission expressed concern over persistent reports of troop build-ups and warned of the risk of renewed clashes. UNSMIL urged all parties to refrain from the use of force, particularly in densely populated areas, and to avoid any actions or rhetoric that could escalate tensions. The mission also called for the immediate withdrawal of forces recently deployed in Tripoli. It stressed that any attacks against civilians would hold the perpetrators legally accountable. The mission reaffirmed it is continuing its efforts to de-escalate the situation and called on all parties to engage in these efforts in good faith. The mission also emphasized the urgent need to implement the security arrangements developed by the Joint Committees on the Ceasefire and Security Arrangements. It reiterated that 'dialogue – not violence – is the only path to achieving lasting peace and stability in Tripoli and across Libya.' This comes amid growing tensions and heavy military mobilizations in several areas in eastern and western Tripoli. There is widespread speculation about the potential outbreak of large-scale clashes at any moment between forces affiliated with the government and opposing groups—most notably the Special Deterrence Force and other factions from Al-Zawiya, primarily composed of armed groups recently ordered to disband. Arrest warrants have also been issued for some of their members by the Office of the Attorney General. Tags: UNSMIL clashes in tripoli Ceasefire
Libya Observer
19-05-2025
- Libya Observer
Libyan rights group urges closure of Mitiga Prison after inmate killed in shelling
A Libyan rights organisation has called for the immediate closure of Mitiga Prison in Tripoli following the death of a detainee during recent clashes in the capital. Libyan Crime Watch said Qurayrah al-Mazoughi, 65, died when a shell struck one of the prison's wards on 14 May. He had reportedly been held without charge for more than four years by the Special Deterrence Force, which controls the facility. At least four other detainees were injured, while the fate of hundreds remains unknown, the group said, citing a lack of transparency and basic safety measures. In a statement, the organisation expressed deep concern over ongoing arbitrary detentions and 'inhumane' conditions at the prison. It called for the immediate release of all detainees—especially those ordered freed by courts or held without due process. The group also urged the Attorney General to launch an urgent and independent investigation into al-Mazoughi's death and to hold those responsible accountable under international fair trial standards. Furthermore, it called on the International Criminal Court to continue probing alleged human rights violations in Libyan detention centres, which could constitute crimes under its jurisdiction. The organisation is urging prosecutors to investigate the role of Abdul Raouf Kara, head of the Special Deterrence Force, under the principle of command responsibility outlined in the Rome Statute. Mitiga Prison has long faced criticism for operating without judicial oversight and failing to meet international human rights standards.
The National
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Libya recognises authority of ICC to investigate war crimes on its territory
Libya has recognised the authority of the International Criminal Court to investigate alleged war crimes on its territory, even though it is not a party to the court's founding treaty, chief prosecutor Karim Khan said on Thursday. "I strongly welcome the courage, the leadership and the decision by the Libyan authorities" to accept the ICC's jurisdiction over possible war crimes and repression committed in the country, Mr Khan said. Speaking to the UN Security Council by video, the chief prosecutor told of progress in uncovering what he called "a black box of suffering on the Mediterranean coast", referring to detention centres where alleged crimes have taken place. He highlighted Libyan authorities' stated commitment to co-operate with the court and called for the handover of a suspect accused of grave crimes against detainees, including migrants and refugees. In particular, he told of "an unprecedented six months of dynamism", pointing to the arrest in January of Osama Elmasry Njeem, a commander in the disbanded Special Deterrence Force. Mr Njeem, who ran the Mitiga detention centre, is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape and torture against migrants. He was briefly detained in Italy in January but was released two days later on "procedural grounds" and returned to Libya. 'There was real disappointment amongst victims that Mr Njeem has been returned to the scene of the alleged crimes,' said Mr Khan. He urged Libyan authorities to hand over Mr Njeem to the ICC so he can stand trial for the crimes that were listed in the warrant. Libya has been under ICC investigation since 2011, when the Security Council referred the case to the court amid the uprising that toppled long-time leader Muammar Qaddafi. The ICC opened its probe days later. In November 2023, Mr Khan said his office aimed to conclude investigative work in Libya by the end of 2025, after which no further arrest warrants would be sought. The ICC has issued warrants for 12 people linked to alleged crimes during Libya's 2011 revolution, the 2014-2020 conflict and abuses in detention centres, including against migrants. Three of those wanted have since died, while eight remain fugitives. The court dismissed the case against Mr Qaddafi's former intelligence chief, Abdullah Al Senussi, ruling it inadmissible. Libyan authorities have failed to arrest and transfer any ICC suspects since 2011, stalling efforts to deliver justice. The Security Council has not acted on the court's past requests to enforce co-operation from Libya. Mr Khan's briefing came after US President Donald Trump's February 6 executive order authorising sanctions against ICC officials, including the chief prosecutor. Washington's acting alternate representative to the UN, John Kelley, condemned the ICC as a "politicised" body, accusing it of bias against the US and Israel. "The ICC has engaged in illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel," Mr Kelley said, warning that Mr Trump's sanctions order would bring "tangible and significant consequences" for those involved in the court's decisions. The ICC in November approved arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes, including restricting aid and attacking citizens during Israel's Gaza offensive. Nine Security Council members – France, Britain, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia, all ICC signatories – opposed, stating that attacking the court or its personnel was "counterproductive to our shared goal of ensuring accountability for the most serious crimes".
Arab News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Libya fighting calms after truce announced
TRIPOLI: The worst fighting in Libya's capital for years calmed on Wednesday an hour after the government announced a ceasefire, Tripoli residents said, with no immediate statement from authorities on how many people had been killed. Clashes broke out late on Monday after the killing of a major militia leader. After calming on Tuesday morning, the fighting reignited overnight, with major battles rocking districts across the entire city. 'Regular forces, in coordination with the relevant security authorities, have begun taking the necessary measures to ensure calm, including the deployment of neutral units,' the government's defense ministry said. The ministry said the neutral units it was deploying around sensitive sites were from the police force, which does not carry heavy weapons. The United Nations Libya mission UNSMIL said it was 'deeply alarmed by the escalating violence in densely populated neighborhoods of Tripoli' and urgently called for a ceasefire. Monday's clashes had appeared to consolidate the power of Abdulhamid Al-Dbeibah, prime minister of the divided country's Government of National Unity (GNU) and an ally of Turkiye. However, any prolonged fighting within Tripoli risks drawing in factions from outside the capital, potentially leading to a wider escalation between Libya's many armed players after years of relative calm. The main fighting on Wednesday was between the Dbeibah-aligned 444 Brigade and the Special Deterrence Force (Rada), the last major armed Tripoli faction not currently in his camp, the English-language Libyan Observer reported. Fighting also erupted in western areas of Tripoli that have historically been a gateway for armed factions from Zawiya, a town to the west of the capital. WEEKS OF GROWING TENSIONS Tripoli residents trapped in their homes by the fighting voiced horror at the sudden eruption of violence, which had followed weeks of growing tensions among armed factions. 'It's terrorizing to witness all this intense fighting. I had my family in one room to avoid random shelling,' said a father of three in the Dahra area by phone. In the western suburb of Saraj, Mohanad Juma said fighting would pause for a few minutes before resuming. 'Each time it stops we feel relieved. But then we lose hope again,' he said. Libya has had little stability since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising ousted longtime autocrat Muammar Qaddafi and the country split in 2014 between rival eastern and western factions, though an outbreak of major warfare paused with a truce in 2020. A major energy exporter, Libya is also an important way station for migrants heading to Europe and its conflict has drawn in several foreign powers including. Its main oil facilities are located in southern and eastern Libya, far from the current fighting in Tripoli. While eastern Libya has been dominated for a decade by commander Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA), control in Tripoli and western Libya has been splintered among numerous armed factions. Dbeibah on Tuesday ordered the dismantling of what he called irregular armed groups. That announcement followed Monday's killing of major militia chief Abdulghani Kikli, widely known as Ghaniwa, and the sudden defeat of his Stabilization Support Apparatus (SSA) group by factions aligned with Dbeibah. The seizure of SSA territory in Libya by the Dbeibah-allied factions, the 444 and 111 Brigades, indicated a major concentration of power in the fragmented capital, leaving Rada as the last big faction not closely tied to the prime minister.
