Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, a prominent Libyan prison chief, faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC). According to the allegations, El Hishri committed grave offenses while at the helm of Mitiga prison near Tripoli from February 2015 to early 2020. He is accused of a range of severe crimes, including overseeing acts of torture, rape, sexual violence, and murder. The ICC contends that he attempted to murder a detainee during his tenure.
El Hishri’s arrest came on July 16, 2025, by German authorities, mere days after the ICC issued an arrest warrant. This arrest marks a significant step in the ICC’s broader investigation into Libya, a process initiated in 2011. Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc noted that a confirmation of charges hearing is set for May 19, 2026. The defense has already submitted a request for El Hishri’s interim release.
The charges against El Hishri allege he was actively involved in personally torturing, mistreating, sexually abusing, and killing detainees. His authority, according to the court, extended over all staff and detainees within Mitiga prison. Reports indicate that guards and other prisoners raped five detainees, including a 15-year-old boy. Women prisoners also suffered sexual abuse under his oversight.
Human Rights Watch’s International Justice Program Director, Liz Evenson, highlighted the significance of El Hishri’s transfer to the ICC, pointing to a longstanding issue of impunity for serious abuses in Libya’s detention centers and prisons. She emphasized the critical role of international cooperation, as showcased by Germany, in enabling justice to prevail. Other ICC member states are encouraged to similarly cooperate in enforcing the court’s warrants across the globe.
The ICC’s ongoing investigation extends beyond El Hishri. It includes individuals like Osama Elmasry Njeem, head of Libya’s judicial police, who faces allegations related to crimes at Mitiga prison. Although Njeem was arrested in Italy earlier in 2025, he was released on procedural grounds and returned to Libya, raising concerns about the procedural complexities facing international justice efforts.
Libya, although not a party to the Rome Statute, has formally accepted ICC jurisdiction over its territory from 2011 to 2027. This acceptance has paved the way for continued legal scrutiny and action against alleged human rights violations within its borders.
For further details, see the report on JURIST.