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Libyan Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Libyan Express
ICC demands Libya arrest suspect Osama Njeem
BY Libyan Express Jul 02, 2025 - 04:57 Osama Njeem Al-Masry, wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Libya The International Criminal Court (ICC) has called on Libya's Presidential Council and Government of National Unity to cooperate in the arrest of Osama Njeem Al-Masry, wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed at Mitiga Prison since 2011. On 22 January, the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber issued an arrest warrant accusing Al-Masry of murder, torture, rape, and sexual violence, committed either personally or through the Special Deterrence Forces under his command. Victims were targeted due to their religious beliefs, alleged immoral conduct, homosexuality, or suspected ties to rival groups. Al-Masry was briefly detained by Italian authorities in Turin on 20 January but was released and returned to Libya, raising concerns over the enforcement of the warrant. The ICC prosecutes serious international crimes when national courts are unable or unwilling to act. Al-Masry is associated with Libya's Special Deterrence Forces, which have been accused of abuses in detention centres such as Mitiga Prison. Libya's ongoing political divisions hinder the enforcement of ICC decisions. The court has been investigating crimes related to Libya's conflict since 2011. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Libya Observer
2 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
ICC urges Libya's GNU and PC to hand over Osama Njeem
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has formally addressed a renewed request to both the Presidential Council (PC) and the Government of National Unity (GNU), urging immediate cooperation in executing the arrest warrant against Osama Njeem Al-Masry. According to the ICC Prosecutor's Office, Njeem is facing charges of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity inside Mitiga Prison, dating back to 2011. On January 22, the ICC officially announced that the Pre-Trial Chamber I, by a majority of its members, had issued an arrest warrant for Osama Al-Najem. ICC stated that Al-Najem is accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, rape, and sexual violence. The ICC added that the crimes outlined in the arrest warrant were either committed directly by Njeem, ordered by him, or carried out with the assistance of members of the Special Deterrence Forces. These crimes allegedly took place in Mitiga Prison against individuals detained for religious reasons—such as being Christians, atheists, or those allegedly deviating from the religious ideology of the Special Deterrence Forces—as well as for reasons related to suspected immoral behavior, homosexuality, or alleged affiliation with other armed groups, or for the purpose of coercion, or a combination of such motives, according to ICC's statement. On January 20, Italian authorities detained Njeem while he was in the city of Turin, but later released him and returned him to Libya.
