The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Wednesday that it had issued an arrest warrant for Osama Najim, a senior Libyan police official, accusing him of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The warrant, issued on 18 January, identifies Najim, also known as “Al-Masri,” as being responsible for overseeing detention facilities in Libya’s capital, Tripoli. These charges include murder, torture, rape, and sexual violence, according to the ICC’s official statement.
Najim currently holds the position of commander of the judicial police and director of the Tripoli-based “Rehabilitation and Correction Facility,” a network of notorious detention centres managed by government-backed special defence forces.
The ICC further alleges that Najim committed or ordered war crimes, including inhumane acts, cruel treatment, torture, and sexual violence, particularly in the Mitiga prison starting from 15 February 2015.
According to the ICC, Najim’s crimes targeted individuals based on their religious beliefs, such as Christians or atheists, or due to their perceived “immoral behaviour,” sexual orientation, or alleged affiliation with rival armed groups.
Najim was reportedly detained in Turin, Italy, on Sunday while attending a Juventus vs. AC Milan football match. However, Italian authorities released him on Tuesday without consulting the ICC.
An appeals court in Rome ruled his release was due to a procedural error in his arrest, and Najim was flown back to Tripoli late Tuesday via an Italian intelligence aircraft.
Italian news agency ANSA reported that Najim was accompanied by three other Libyans during his detention, who were also expelled from Italy.
