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A Libyan man accused by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of crimes against humanity and war crimes was arrested in Germany on a sealed arrest warrant, the court announced on Friday.
Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri was allegedly one of the most senior officials at Mitiga Prison in Tripoli where thousands of people were detained.
He was arrested on Wednesday based on a warrant issued by the court on 10 July.
“He is suspected of having committed directly himself, ordered or overseen crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence, allegedly committed in Libya from February 2015 to early 2020,” the ICC said in a statement.
The court’s prosecution office hailed the arrest as “an important development” in efforts to seek accountability for crimes in detention facilities in Libya.
It said it was ready for his trial, which would be the first of a Libyan suspect at the court.
The office also thanked “all the victims and witnesses from Libya who have stepped forward to cooperate in the investigation. Their strength, courage and commitment make these important developments possible.”
El Hishri will remain in custody in Germany until legal proceedings to have him transported to The Hague are completed.
The court relies on other countries to execute its arrest warrants. It paid tribute to German authorities for detaining El Hishri.
“I thank the national authorities for their strong and consistent cooperation with the Court, including leading to this recent arrest,” ICC Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler said in a statement.
The United Nations Security Council called on the ICC to open an investigation in Libya in 2011 amid violence that led to the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi and morphed into a crippling civil war.
The court issued a warrant for the long-time Libyan strongman, but he was killed by rebels before he could be detained.
The court has arrest warrants out for eight other Libyan suspects, including one of Gaddafi’s sons.
Earlier this year, authorities in Libya accepted the court’s jurisdiction over the country from 2011 through to the end of 2027.
Additional sources • AP
