Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, a suspected war criminal connected to Libyan atrocities, has been detained in Germany under an International Criminal Court warrant, making headlines as part of ongoing international judicial efforts.
Libyan War Crimes Suspect Extradited to Germany Under ICC Warrant
Libyan War Crimes Suspect Extradited to Germany Under ICC Warrant
Germany apprehends Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, linked to war crimes in Libya as per ICC's directive.
Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, known as "Al-Buti," is under arrest in Germany following an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant linked to war crimes and crimes against humanity in Libya. The ICC announced that he was apprehended on July 16, emphasizing his role as a senior official at the Mitiga Prison complex in Tripoli, notorious for detaining thousands under brutal conditions.
El Hishri allegedly participated in, ordered, or oversaw heinous acts, including murder, torture, and rape between 2015 and 2020. Despite the gravity of these accusations, there is no public record of his response to them. The allegations stem from a referral made by the United Nations Security Council in February 2011 after the uprising that ultimately led to the ouster and death of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi. The Council condemned widespread violence against civilians and highlighted the systematic violation of human rights that occurred during Gaddafi's regime.
Since Gaddafi's removal, Libya has faced destabilization, leading to fragmentation of power among rival militias and governments. The ICC has issued a total of 11 arrest warrants in connection to war crimes in Libya since 2011. Mitiga Prison, where El Hishri was stationed, has been marked by Amnesty International as the site of "horrific violations," with numerous detainees, including migrants, subjected to deplorable treatment.
In a controversial incident earlier this year, Italy released another Libyan fugitive, Osama Najim, who was allegedly linked to Mitiga prison’s crimes, on technical grounds. This has drawn criticism from the ICC, which noted he was freed without prior consultation.
El Hishri will remain in German custody pending his extradition to the ICC, contributing to the court's ongoing mission to deliver justice for the victims of Libya's persistent conflict and address accountability for the numerous other suspects still at large.
