A former Libyan prison director appeared before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday to answer to grave charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The charges stem from alleged widespread abuses against detainees, including murder, torture, and rape.
Khaled Mohammed Ali Al-Hishiri faces a total of twelve charges: six counts of war crimes and six counts of crimes against humanity. These charges encompass allegations of torture, murder, sexual violence, and persecution, reportedly committed between February 2015 and early 2020.
The ICC has stated that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Al-Hishiri personally murdered a prisoner at the Mitiga prison near Tripoli, which he controlled with an iron fist during the specified period. The court also indicated that a significant number of detainees died under his authority due to torture, exposure to harsh weather, neglected injuries, or malnutrition.
According to the arrest warrant, at least five prisoners, including a 15-year-old boy, were allegedly raped by guards or other inmates. Furthermore, female detainees were reportedly subjected to acts of sexual violence.
Al-Hishiri is accused of direct or indirect involvement in torture, cruel treatment, sexual assault, and murder within the prison. He is the first individual to appear before the ICC in connection with its ongoing investigations into Libya, which began in 2011.
The accused was apprehended in Germany last summer before being transferred to an ICC detention center earlier this week. A further hearing is scheduled to review the evidence and assess the charges, potentially paving the way for a trial.
These developments occur against the backdrop of the ongoing Libyan crisis, where the country continues to grapple with chaos and political division since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011.
