The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Monday that it has officially received Libyan national Khaled Mohamed Ali Al-Hayshri from German authorities, marking the first time a Libyan suspect has ever been transferred into ICC custody since the court’s establishment.
German authorities arrested Al-Hayshri on 16 July 2025 in response to an ICC request and held him pending completion of domestic legal procedures in accordance with Article 59 of the Rome Statute. His transfer follows an ICC arrest warrant issued by Pre-Trial Chamber I on 10 July 2025.
According to the ICC, Al-Hayshri faces multiple charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes during his tenure as one of the most senior officials at Mitiga Prison in Tripoli. The alleged crimes include murder, torture, rape, and other forms of sexual violence, reportedly committed between February 2015 and early 2020.
The court confirmed that Al-Hayshri’s initial appearance hearing will be scheduled soon, during which judges will verify his identity, confirm the language in which he will follow the proceedings, and officially inform him of the charges and his rights under the Rome Statute.
ICC Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler expressed appreciation for Germany’s cooperation, describing it as essential to ensuring accountability and justice in cases referred to the court.
The situation in Libya was referred to the ICC by the UN Security Council through Resolution 1970 adopted on 26 February 2011. The Prosecutor opened the investigation on 3 March 2011, and in May 2025 Libya formally accepted ICC jurisdiction over crimes committed on its territory from 2011 through the end of 2027.
Despite this week’s transfer, nine other ICC arrest warrants related to the Libya situation remain outstanding, including warrants issued for Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and several former officials of the previous regime.
