On Sunday, unknown gunmen assassinated Abd Al-Rahman Milad, infamously known as “Al-Bidja,” the head of the Naval Academy in Libya.
According to eyewitnesses, Al-Bidja’s car was riddled with bullets as he drove through Janzour, west of Tripoli. Medical sources at Zawiya Hospital confirmed the arrival of Al-Bidja’s lifeless body shortly after the attack, marking the violent end of one of Libya’s most notorious figures.
Social media quickly lit up with photos and videos of the aftermath, showing the bullet-riddled car and the lifeless body of Al-Bidja. The assassination of this high-profile figure has sent shockwaves across Libya, where Al-Bidja was both feared and infamous for his extensive involvement in human trafficking and smuggling operations.
Al-Bidja was no ordinary criminal. His name was synonymous with the lucrative and deadly trade of human trafficking in Libya, making him a key player in the migration crisis that has plagued the Mediterranean for years. His operations, which facilitated the illegal movement of thousands of migrants to Europe, earned him international condemnation and UN sanctions.
His journey into the criminal underworld began in an unexpected place: the Libyan Coast Guard. Initially serving as an officer, Al-Bidja leveraged his position to build a smuggling empire, earning him the moniker “Emperor of Smuggling.” Over the years, he expanded his criminal activities, turning the coastal town of Zawiya into a hub for both human trafficking and illegal oil exports.
Al-Bidja’s ruthless tactics made him one of the most feared figures in Libya. He was accused of heinous acts, including deliberately sinking boats filled with migrants to avoid detection by international authorities. His control over Zawiya’s coast guard station allowed him to operate with impunity, enriching himself while contributing to the suffering of countless migrants.
In early 2021, Al-Bidja’s criminal activities caught up with him when Libyan authorities arrested him on charges of human trafficking and smuggling. The arrest was hailed as a major step forward in the fight against organized crime. However, the victory was short-lived; just four months later, Al-Bidja was released, a decision that sparked outrage and underscored the corruption plaguing Libya’s institutions.
Shockingly, during his brief detention, Al-Bidja was not only freed but also promoted. His release and subsequent rise to a more prominent position exemplified the deep ties between criminal networks and official institutions in Libya. Despite his notorious reputation, Al-Bidja continued to appear at official events, even overseeing cadet training at the Naval Academy and rubbing shoulders with top government officials.
