War crimes suspect from Libya appears at International Criminal Court for the first time

A senior Libyan prison official accused of overseeing killings, sexual assault, and torture at a notorious detention facility appeared Wednesday before the International Criminal Court (ICC) to confront charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, 47, appeared calm in a dark blue jacket and light blue shirt, confirming his identity and birth date to a three-judge panel. He faces six counts each of war crimes and crimes against humanity, covering acts such as torture, murder, rape, sexual abuse, and persecution between February 2015 and early 2020 at Mitiga prison near Tripoli.

The ICC, responsible for prosecuting the gravest international offenses, stated there are "reasonable grounds" to believe El Hishri personally killed one detainee. Many others died under his administration due to torture, exposure to harsh weather, untreated injuries, or starvation. Judges also reported at least five detainees, including a 15-year-old boy, suffered sexual assault by guards or fellow prisoners, while female inmates faced sexual abuse.

The court asserts that El Hishri was directly involved in torturing, mistreating, sexually abusing, and killing prisoners. He allegedly controlled all Mitiga prison staff and detainees, enforcing conditions designed to maximize suffering. Thousands were held there, subjected to beatings with batons, plastic pipes, electrical cables, fists, being shot, placed in stress positions, or confined in small metal boxes. The court described extensive beatings as routine, sometimes conducted for guards amusement.

Presiding judge Iulia Motoc noted the defense requested El Hishri's interim release via email. When invited to speak, he had no remarks other than seeking his release. The court scheduled a "confirmation of charges" hearing for May 19, 2026.

El Hishri is the first individual to appear at the ICC in connection with its Libya investigation, which started in 2011. Libya continues to struggle with instability following the 2011 uprising that ousted long-time leader Moamer Kadhafi. The nation remains split between a UN-recognized government in the west and an eastern rival led by military commander Khalifa Haftar.

Human Rights Watch emphasized that the case would shed light on severe abuses behind Libyas prison doors. The ICC is also pursuing Osama Almasri Najim, former head of Libyas judicial police, over alleged crimes at Mitiga prison. Najim was briefly detained in Italy before being released and returning to Libya, triggering political tensions in Italy and concern in The Hague.

Author: Lucas Grant