Latest news with #Sneidel
Libya Observer
a day ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
International Criminal Court unseals arrest warrant for Libyan national Saif Sneidel
The International Criminal Court's (ICC) "Pre-Trial Chamber I" announced on Friday that it has lifted the confidentiality on an arrest warrant issued on November 10, 2020, for Saif Suleiman Sneidel. ICC said Sneidel is a Libyan national and a member of 'Group 50,' a sub-unit of the Al-Saiqa Brigade commanded by Mahmoud Al-Werfalli, referred to since May 2017 as a 'Field Commander' and, since February 2018, as a first lieutenant. The court said Sneidel is wanted for war crimes, including murder, torture and outrages upon personal dignity, allegedly committed in Benghazi or surrounding areas in Libya on or before June 3, 2016, through on or about July 17, 2017. The UN Security Council referred the situation in Libya to the ICC prosecutor under Resolution 1970, dated February 26, 2011. On March 3, 2011, the prosecutor announced the decision to open an investigation into the Libya situation. According to the court, eight other public arrest warrants issued by the ICC remain outstanding for Osama Najim, Abdulrahim Al-Shaqaqi, Makhlouf Douma, Nasser Dhou, Mohammed Salmi, Abdulbari Al-Shaqaqi, Fathi Al-Zankal and Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi. ICC also noted that German authorities arrested another Libyan national, Khaled Al-Haishri, on July 16, 2025, pursuant to a sealed arrest warrant issued by the Pre-Trial Chamber I. He remains in German custody pending completion of national proceedings under Article 59 of the Rome Statute.
L'Orient-Le Jour
2 days ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
The ICC makes public an arrest warrant issued against a Libyan militiaman
The International Criminal Court (ICC) unsealed on Friday an arrest warrant issued against a member of a Libyan militia accused of war crimes, including murder and torture between 2016 and 2017. The Court stated in a press release that there were 'reasonable grounds to believe' that Saif Suleiman Sneidel was responsible for war crimes, including murders, torture and 'attacks on human dignity.' The Prosecutor's Office, which issued the sealed warrant in November 2020, said it had found 'reasonable grounds to believe that Sneidel participated in three executions' during which 'a total of 23 people were killed.' 'Creating the necessary momentum for arrest' The crimes allegedly took place in Benghazi or its surroundings, in eastern Libya, roughly between June 3, 2016, and July 17, 2017. The Prosecutor's Office specified that the arrest warrant against Sneidel had been issued under seal to 'maximize the chances of arrest' and minimize risks to the criminal investigation. 'For this reason, no details of the request or the arrest warrant could be provided until now,' the statement said. 'We hope to create the necessary momentum for the arrest and surrender of Sneidel,' explained Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan. The ICC, seated in The Hague, is now able to discuss issues related to a potential arrest with States, the United Nations Security Council, and the international community, she added. Group 50 Sneidel is a suspected member of Group 50, a sub-unit of the Al-Saiqa brigade, which was led by Libyan commander Mahmoud Mustafa Busayf el-Werfalli, who died in 2021. Before his death, el-Werfalli was subject to two ICC arrest warrants for 8 executions in Benghazi, three of which, according to the prosecution, Sneidel participated in. 'The Prosecution alleges that Sneidel was a close collaborator of Al-Werfalli and played a leading role alongside him within the Al-Saiqa Brigade,' the press release said. The Court also confirmed that another Libyan suspect, Khaled Mohamed Ali el-Hishri, was arrested by German authorities on July 16, 2025, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICC has been investigating crimes committed in Libya since 2011. This North African country has experienced years of instability marked by militia violence and government fractures since Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown and killed in 2011 during the so-called Arab Spring uprising.
Libya Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Herald
Office of the ICC Prosecutor welcomes unsealing of arrest warrant on Libya accused of war crimes
The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced yesterday that its Office of the Prosecutor welcomed the unsealing of the arrest warrant for Libyan suspect Saif Suleiman Sneidel. Sneidel is accused of the war crimes of murder, outrages upon personal dignity and torture in eastern Libya in the context of a non-international armed conflict. Mr Sneidel was an officer of Group 50 in the Al-Saiqa Brigade, which participated in an operation launched by the so-called Libyan National Army in Benghazi, known as Operation Dignity, in May 2014. In issuing the arrest warrant in November 2020, the ICC said the Chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that Sneidel participated in three executions where a total of 23 people were murdered. These executions took place on or before 3 June 2016, on or before 19 June 2017, and on or about 17 July 2017, in Benghazi or surrounding areas. The Chamber also concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Sneidel is criminally responsible for torture. The original decision, like the Office's application filed in May 2020, was under seal to maximise arrest opportunities and to minimise risks to an ongoing criminal investigation. For this reason, no details of the application or warrant could be provided until this stage, the ICC explained. The Office of the Prosecutor however requested in July 2025 to unseal the warrant due to changes in circumstances, and to increase prospects for arrest. 'The judges' decision to unseal the warrant improves chances of arrest. The Court can now discuss issues related to possible arrest with States, the UN Security Council, and the international community at large, fostering support and cooperation. We hope to create the momentum for Mr Sneidel's arrest and surrender,' said Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan. The Office calls on Libyan authorities to execute the arrest warrant, pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970 (2011), which referred the Situation in Libya to the ICC. The OTP seeks to work closely with the Registry and the Court's partners to help secure the suspect's arrest. The Sneidel case falls under alleged crimes related to the 2014-2020 operations, demonstrating the Office's commitment to seek accountability for Libyan victims across multiple lines of inquiry. The investigation into Libya follows four key lines of inquiry: the 2011 violence, crimes in detention facilities, crimes related to the 2014-2020 operations, and crimes against migrants. As the Office pledged to the UN Security Council, the Libya situation continues to be a significant priority. On 16 July 2025, another suspect in the Situation in Libya, Mr Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, was arrested by authorities of the Federal Republic of Germany pursuant to an ICC warrant of arrest for crimes in detention facilities. The case against Mr Sneidel is closely connected to that of deceased ICC suspect Mahmoud Mustafa Busayf Al-Werfalli. The Prosecution alleges that Mr Sneidel was a close associate of Mr Al-Werfalli, and had an important leadership role alongside him in the Al-Saiqa Brigade. Prior to his death, Mr Al-Werfalli was the subject of two ICC arrest warrants for eight executions in Benghazi, three of which the Prosecution alleges Mr Sneidel participated in. The Office expresses its gratitude to victims and witnesses for their courage and determination to cooperate with the investigation. 'Our Office remains deeply committed to deliver accountability for victims of atrocities in Libya. Results of our work are because of and for them. With their commitment, and with the cooperation and support of all partners, we can make inroads in fighting impunity in Libya and across all situations,' said Deputy Prosecutor Khan.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
ICC unseals Libya war crimes warrant
The International Criminal Court building is seen in The Hague, Netherlands, January 16, 2019. Photo: Reuters The International Criminal Court on Friday unsealed an arrest warrant for a Libyan militia member accused of war crimes including murder and torture between 2016 and 2017. The court said there were "reasonable grounds to believe" that Saif Suleiman Sneidel was responsible for war crimes of murder, torture and "outrages upon personal dignity". The November 2020 warrant found "reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Sneidel participated in three executions where a total of 23 people were murdered", the ICC's prosecutor's office said in a statement. The crimes were allegedly committed in Benghazi or surrounding areas, in Libya, on or before June 3, 2016 until on or about July 17, 2017. The prosecutor's office said Sneidel's arrest warrant had been issued under seal to "maximise arrest opportunities" and to minimise risks to the criminal investigation. "For this reason, no details of the application or warrant could be provided until this stage," it said.
eNCA
3 days ago
- Politics
- eNCA
ICC unseals Libya war crimes warrant for militia officer
The International Criminal Court on Friday unsealed an arrest warrant for a Libyan militia member accused of war crimes including murder and torture between 2016 and 2017. The court said there were "reasonable grounds to believe" that Saif Suleiman Sneidel was responsible for war crimes of murder, torture and "outrages upon personal dignity". The November 2020 warrant found "reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Sneidel participated in three executions where a total of 23 people were murdered", the ICC's prosecutor's office said in a statement. The crimes were allegedly committed in Benghazi or surrounding areas, in Libya, on or before June 3, 2016 until on or about July 17, 2017. The prosecutor's office said Sneidel's arrest warrant had been issued under seal to "maximise arrest opportunities" and to minimise risks to the criminal investigation. "For this reason, no details of the application or warrant could be provided until this stage," it said. The decision to make it public followed a second application by the prosecutor's office to "increase prospects for arrest". "We hope to create the momentum for Mr Sneidel's arrest and surrender," said deputy prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said. "The Court can now discuss issues related to possible arrest with States, the UN Security Council, and the international community at large, fostering support and cooperation." - Group 50 - Sneidel is believed to have been serving in Group 50, a sub-unit of the Al-Saiqa Brigade led by the the late Libyan commander, Mahmoud Mustafa Busayf Al-Werfalli. Prior to his death, Al-Werfalli was the subject of two ICC arrest warrants for eight executions in Benghazi, three of which the prosecution alleges Sneidel took part in. "The prosecution alleges that Mr Sneidel was a close associate of Mr Al-Werfalli, and had an important leadership role alongside him in the Al-Saiqa Brigade," the statement said. The ICC has been investigating atrocities in Libya since 2011, following a referral from the United Nations Security Council. The ICC also confirmed that another Libyan suspect, Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, had been arrested by German authorities on July 16, 2025 for war crimes and crimes against humanity. He remains in custody in Germany pending legal proceedings. Libya has faced years of instability, militia violence and fractured government since Gaddafi was overthrown and killed in 2011 near his hometown of Sirte during the Arab Spring uprising.
