On Saturday, the United Nations Support Mission to Libya (UNSMIL) called on Libyan authorities to arrest Osama Njeem, the head of Tripoli’s Judicial Police and director of the “Rehabilitation and Correction Facility,” and investigate the grave crimes listed in the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against him.
Njeem, who was briefly detained in Italy before being released and repatriated to Libya, is accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, rape, and sexual violence.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Njeem on January 18, as part of its ongoing investigation into crimes committed in Libya since February 2011.
The ICC investigation stems from a UN Security Council resolution granting it jurisdiction to address crimes in Libya during and after the uprising that overthrew Muammar Gaddafi. Human rights organizations have described Njeem as a former head of the notorious Mitiga Detention Center near Tripoli, a facility long criticized for its inhumane conditions and severe human rights abuses.
The ICC warrant accuses Njeem of committing, ordering, or enabling crimes through his leadership role. Despite these allegations, Njeem was released by Italian authorities due to procedural issues after his arrest in Turin on January 19, 2025. The decision to release and repatriate Njeem has drawn criticism from the ICC and sparked calls for stronger international cooperation to ensure accountability.
In its statement, UNSMIL expressed deep concern over the seriousness of the crimes Njeem is accused of and emphasized the need for accountability.
The mission called on Libya to either arrest Njeem and investigate the charges against him or extradite him to The Hague to face trial at the ICC. UNSMIL underscored that justice and accountability are essential for peace and stability in Libya, a country still grappling with the aftermath of over a decade of conflict.
