Latest news with #AlHishri
The Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Libyan war crimes suspect arrested in Germany for Mitiga prison atrocities
THE HAGUE: German authorities have detained a Libyan war crimes suspect accused of overseeing systematic torture and abuse at Mitiga prison, the International Criminal Court confirmed on Friday. Khaled Mohamed Ali Al Hishri, allegedly a senior official in the Special Deterrence Force militia, was arrested on Wednesday and remains in German custody pending legal proceedings. The ICC alleges Al Hishri committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, and torture, between 2015 and 2020 while managing Mitiga prison. Prosecutors describe the facility as Libya's largest detention center in the west, where thousands endured brutal interrogations, unsanitary conditions, and sexual violence. The arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny of the ICC, which faces U.S. sanctions over its warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding alleged war crimes in Gaza. Several European states, including Germany, have criticized the move. Meanwhile, ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan remains on leave pending a UN investigation into sexual misconduct claims, which he denies. In a statement, the ICC prosecutor's office said it expects Al Hishri's transfer to The Hague and is prepared for trial. 'This development is crucial amid global accountability challenges and turmoil at the ICC,' said Kip Hale, a UN war crimes investigator. 'Most importantly, it offers hope for Mitiga's victims.' Earlier this year, Italy arrested another Libyan suspect, Osama Elmasry Njeem, but controversially returned him to Tripoli, citing errors in the warrant. The decision triggered political backlash and a legal probe into Italian officials. The ICC has investigated Libya's civil war crimes since 2011 under a UN Security Council mandate. - Reuters
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Libyan ICC war crimes suspect arrested in Germany
A general view of the International Criminal Court on the day former president Rodrigo Duterte arrives at Rotterdam The Hague Airport after his arrest at the request of the ICC, in The Hague, Netherlands, March 12, 2025. REUTERS/ Wolfgang Rattay/File photo THE HAGUE, Netherlands - German authorities have arrested a Libyan war crimes suspect accused of being a senior official at a notorious prison where inmates were routinely tortured and sometimes sexually abused, the International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Friday. Khaled Mohamed Ali Al Hishri, alleged to have been a member of the Special Deterrence Force armed group during Libya's civil war, was arrested on Wednesday, German authorities said. The ICC said he would remain in German custody, pending the completion of national proceedings. Prosecutors at the ICC accuse Al Hishri of war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, torture and rape from February 2015 until early 2020, a period during which he was allegedly one of the most senior officials in the Mitiga prison. According to the prosecution, Mitiga was the largest detention facility in western Libya, where thousands of detainees were held in cramped cells without basic hygiene and were systematically subjected to brutal interrogations and torture. Men and women held there also faced sexual violence including rape, the prosecution said. It is a critical time for the ICC. Its prosecutor and four judges are facing U.S. sanctions in retaliation for an arrest warrant it issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict. A number of European ICC member states, including Germany, have also criticised the warrant. In addition to the sanctions, the ICC is also operating without its chief prosecutor Karim Khan, who stepped aside temporarily two months ago as he faced a probe by United Nations investigators into alleged sexual misconduct. Khan denies the allegations, and his two deputy prosecutors are running the office in his absence. In a statement on Friday, the office of the prosecutor said it expected Al Hishri to be transferred to The Hague and added that it stood ready to start his trial. "This development is so needed at a time of unprecedented turmoil in the field of accountability generally and at the ICC specifically," Kip Hale, an attorney who documented crimes in Libya for the UN, told Reuters. "Yet, it is most important for the victims of the many atrocity crimes committed at Mitiga prison," he added. Italy arrested another Libyan ICC suspect, Osama Elmasry Njeem, in January but subsequently returned him to Tripoli, saying the arrest warrant contained mistakes and inaccuracies. He was also accused of crimes committed against detainees in Mitiga prison. His release sparked outrage among Italian opposition parties and triggered a legal investigation into Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and several other government members. The court has been investigating allegations of serious crimes committed in Libya since the outbreak of its civil war in 2011, following a referral by the UN Security Council. — Reuters
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Libyan ICC war crimes suspect arrested in Germany
Find out what's new on ST website and app. THE HAGUE - German authorities have arrested a Libyan war crimes suspect accused of being a senior official for a notorious prison where inmates were routinely tortured and sometimes sexually abused, the International Criminal Court said on Friday. Khaled Mohamed Ali Al Hishri was arrested on Wednesday, German authorities said. The ICC said he would remain in German custody, pending the completion of national proceedings. Prosecutors at the ICC accuse Al Hishri of war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, torture and rape from February 2015 until early 2020, a period during which he was allegedly one of the most senior officials in the Mitiga prison. According to the prosecution, Mitiga prison was the largest detention facility in western Libya, where thousands of detainees were held in cramped cells without basic hygiene and were systematically subjected to brutal interrogations and torture. Men and women held there also faced sexual violence including rape, the prosecution said. It is a critical time for the ICC. Its prosecutor and four judges are facing U.S. sanctions in retaliation for an arrest warrant it issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict. A number of European ICC member states, including Germany, have also been critical of the warrant for Netanyahu. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 30% of aviation jobs could be redesigned due to AI, automation; $200m fund to support workers: CAAS Singapore HSA looking to get anti-vape cyber surveillance tool with AI capabilities Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student who used AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data Singapore Jail for contraband cigarette syndicate member over conspiracy to give bribes to security officer Singapore Residents in South West District get help to improve employability, find career opportunities Life Kinokuniya opens third bookstore at Raffles City, weeks ahead of schedule Business DBS shares rally to a new record as STI clocks yet another high In January, Italy arrested another Libyan ICC suspect, Osama Elmasry Njeem, but released him back to Tripoli saying the arrest warrant contained mistakes and inaccuracies. Njeem was also accused of crimes committed against detainees in Mitiga prison. His release sparked outrage among Italian opposition parties and triggered a legal investigation into Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and several other government members. The court has been investigating allegations of serious crimes committed in Libya since the country's 2011 civil war, following a referral by the UN Security Council. REUTERS
