The Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Nazhat Shameem Khan, announced that nine public arrest warrants linked to Libya remain pending execution, while confirming that the court is expanding investigations into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between 2014 and 2020.
Speaking remotely before the United Nations Security Council, Khan said the ICC continues to gather evidence, testimonies, and documentation related to serious violations committed during the Libyan conflict.
She stated that investigations into abuses inside detention facilities in both eastern and western Libya will intensify, describing the country as holding “hidden stories of extreme brutality” that could emerge through stronger cooperation with local and international partners.
Khan revealed that the Office of the Prosecutor conducted more than 186 meetings with civil society organizations during the latest reporting period, including discussions with dozens of human rights groups. She stressed that the recent court appearance of Khaled Mohamed Ali Al-Hishri should represent the beginning of a wider accountability process aimed at delivering justice for victims.
The deputy prosecutor also issued a direct warning to individuals accused of crimes in Libya, as well as those suspected of facilitating or ordering violations.
She emphasized that the ICC remains fully committed to pursuing accountability and ensuring that perpetrators face justice.
Khan praised what she described as constructive cooperation from Libyan authorities, specifically acknowledging the support provided by Mohamed Al-Mnifi, outgoing GNU Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, and Libya’s ambassador to the Netherlands, Ziad Daghim.
However, she noted that cooperation remains inconsistent across Libyan institutions, with progress in some areas and stagnation in others.
She further stated that several ICC suspects are believed to still be inside Libya, warning that failure to arrest them represents a violation of obligations established under the Security Council mandate.
The ICC also highlighted its cooperation with Dutch authorities in cases involving migrant smuggling and abuse linked to Libya, describing these efforts as part of broader international attempts to strengthen accountability and support justice for victims of conflict-related crimes.