The International Criminal Court (ICC) has called on Libya to immediately hand over Osama Najim, who is accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity inside Mitiga Prison. The appeal came during a briefing to the UN Security Council by ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan, who said the Court is still awaiting confirmation from Libyan authorities regarding Najim’s arrest.
Khan disclosed that the ICC had recently secured what she described as “unprecedented progress” over the past six months, highlighting renewed momentum towards accountability in Libya. She noted that this progress reflects growing cooperation between the ICC, the UN Security Council, and Libyan institutions, creating what she called “a real opportunity for collective success.”
During her briefing, Khan confirmed that the ICC is also seeking the imminent transfer of Khaled Al-Hishri, who was arrested in Germany for his role in war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Mitiga Prison in Tripoli. She said the Court expects his handover soon to launch the first ICC trial related to the Libyan conflict.
Khan stressed that the ICC continues to pursue several other key suspects, including Saif Suleiman Sneidel, a senior figure in the Saiqa forces, who is wanted for war crimes. She emphasised that the Office of the Prosecutor is committed to ensuring that all individuals responsible for grave violations are brought before international justice.
The Deputy Prosecutor reiterated that multiple crimes attributed to Najim—ranging from torture to unlawful detention—fall squarely within the ICC’s jurisdiction. She said the Office is actively seeking official information from Libya’s Attorney General concerning Najim’s status, especially amid reports that he may already be in custody.
Khan concluded by urging Libyan authorities to demonstrate genuine commitment to justice by executing pending arrest warrants. She argued that accountability remains crucial to stability, adding that the people of Libya deserve transparency and a credible judicial process capable of addressing years of documented abuses.
