The Tripoli Court of Appeal has postponed the hearing in the case of the Abu Salim Prison massacre to 8 February 2026.
The decision was issued during the court’s twelfth session, with the judges ordering the continued detention of all defendants currently in custody pending the completion of judicial procedures.
According to Mustafa Al-Majdoub, lawyer for the Association of Victims of the Abu Salim Prison Massacre, the session was marked by the appearance of two key defendants via video link, including Abdullah al-Senussi, listed as the second defendant, and Mansour Daw, the third defendant in the case. Two other accused individuals who are formally charged in the case were absent from the hearing despite being detained.
Al-Majdoub said the session also recorded the absence of legal counsel for al-Senussi, while defense lawyers for several other defendants were present. A number of family members of the victims attended the hearing, underscoring the enduring public demand for accountability nearly three decades after the crime occurred.
At the close of the session, the court confirmed its decision to adjourn the case to the new date while maintaining the detention of those accused. The court cited the need to complete procedural steps and ensure the orderly continuation of the trial.
The Abu Salim Prison massacre, which took place in 1996, resulted in the killing of 1,269 detainees and remains one of the gravest human rights violations in Libya’s modern history. The case has long symbolized the struggle of victims’ families for justice, truth, and accountability, and has faced repeated delays due to legal, political, and security challenges.
In December, the Association of Martyrs of the Abu Salim Prison Massacre renewed its call for the swift arrest and prosecution of all individuals named in the indictment issued by the Public Prosecutor. The association also strongly condemned any attempts to release Abdullah al-Senussi, stressing that accountability for the massacre remains a fundamental and non-negotiable right for the victims’ families.
The upcoming February hearing is expected to be closely watched as a critical test of Libya’s commitment to justice, the rule of law, and addressing past crimes.
