The Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) described the arrest of Khaled El Hishri, a senior commander of Libya’s Special Deterrence Forces (Rada), in Germany as a “significant step” towards accountability for crimes committed in Libyan detention centres.
In a statement to Arabi21, the ICC Prosecutor’s Office stressed that Libya remains under the Court’s jurisdiction, citing UN Security Council Resolution 1970 (2011). The office stated: “Libya formally accepted the ICC’s jurisdiction over crimes committed on its territory from 2011 until the end of 2027.”
The remarks came in response to comments by authorities in Benghazi claiming they were not obligated to hand over suspects since Libya is not an ICC member. “Libya has the right to challenge admissibility of cases before the Court, but it has not done so,” the Prosecutor’s Office added.
The ICC emphasised that it is not in conflict with Libyan authorities and welcomed cooperation to end impunity for international crimes, particularly those committed against migrants and detainees in Libyan facilities. The office also urged the international community and the UN Security Council to assist in executing pending arrest warrants and supporting investigations into Libya’s situation.
El Hishri, also known as Mohamed Ali El Hishri, was arrested by German authorities on 18 July 2025. He is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to his role at the notorious Mitiga prison in Tripoli between February 2015 and early 2020.
The ICC confirmed that El Hishri will remain in German custody pending legal procedures. Investigators allege he bears criminal responsibility for systematic abuses in detention centres, which have long been criticised by international organisations for torture, unlawful detention, and other serious violations.
