In a significant move for international justice, German authorities arrested Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, a Libyan national accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, on July 16, 2025. The arrest, announced by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on July 18, stems from a sealed warrant issued just eight days earlier, on July 10. El Hishri, also known as "Al-Buti," is alleged to have been a senior official at the notorious Mitiga Prison in Tripoli, Libya's capital, where thousands of detainees suffered brutal treatment between 2015 and early 2020.
The ICC has accused El Hishri of directly committing, ordering, or overseeing grave crimes including murder, torture, rape, and sexual violence. These atrocities reportedly took place within the confines of Mitiga Prison, the largest detention center in western Libya, infamous for its inhumane conditions. Detainees were held in overcrowded cells lacking basic hygiene and subjected to systematic torture and brutal interrogations. Sexual violence, including rape, was also widespread, affecting both men and women held at the facility.
El Hishri was not just any official; he was a senior figure in the Special Deterrence Forces (SDF), also known as Rada, aligned with the interior ministry of Libya's internationally recognized government based in Tripoli. His role placed him in a position of significant authority over the prison and its operations during a period marked by intense conflict and human rights abuses.
The ICC's Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) hailed the arrest as a critical development in the pursuit of accountability for crimes committed in Libya's detention facilities. The OTP's renewed strategy, guided by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970 (2011) and Libya's formal acceptance of ICC jurisdiction from 2011 through 2027, prioritizes bringing perpetrators to justice. This arrest marks a vital step towards the first judicial proceedings against a Libyan suspect at the ICC.
According to the OTP, which filed the arrest warrant application on April 3, 2025, and secured the warrant on July 10, there are reasonable grounds to believe El Hishri is criminally responsible for serious offenses including murder, torture, rape, and sexual violence. The Office expressed readiness to proceed with his trial once he is transferred to The Hague, the ICC's seat of justice.
The ICC also extended its gratitude to the victims and witnesses from Libya whose courage and cooperation have been instrumental in advancing the investigation. "Their strength, courage and commitment make these important developments possible," the OTP emphasized.
El Hishri will remain in German custody pending the completion of national proceedings and arrangements for his extradition to the ICC. German authorities received praise from ICC Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler for their strong and consistent cooperation in detaining the suspect.
The arrest comes amid a complex backdrop of ongoing investigations into Libya's post-Gaddafi turmoil. The United Nations Security Council referred the situation in Libya to the ICC in February 2011, as violent protests escalated into a civil war that culminated in the ousting and death of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. The Security Council condemned the widespread violence, systematic human rights abuses, and incitement to hostility against civilians by the Libyan government at the time.
Since Gaddafi's fall, Libya has been fractured, divided between rival governments and controlled by various militias. The ICC has issued 11 arrest warrants related to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during this turbulent period, including warrants for eight other Libyan suspects, among them one of Gaddafi's sons.
Earlier in 2025, Italy controversially released Osama Najim, also known as Almasri, who was accused of directing Mitiga Prison. Italy cited legal technicalities for his release, which sparked outrage and a legal investigation into the country's government. Amnesty International condemned Mitiga Prison as a site of "horrific violations committed with total impunity," noting that some detainees were migrants attempting to reach Europe. The ICC issued a new arrest warrant for Najim, who remains a fugitive.
The ICC's investigation into Libya remains active, pursuing multiple lines of inquiry with a particular focus on crimes committed in detention centers like Mitiga. The OTP continues to rely on partnerships with national authorities, regional and international organizations, and affected communities to further its mission of justice.
As the world watches, El Hishri's arrest symbolizes a renewed commitment to accountability and the rule of law in a country long plagued by conflict and impunity. The coming trial at The Hague will be closely observed as the ICC seeks to break new ground in addressing the horrors endured by detainees in Libya's darkest years.
