Libyan Prison Commander Faces ICC Pretrial Hearings
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently commenced pretrial hearings for Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, a senior commander at Libya’s Mitiga prison. El Hishri, referred to by detainees as the “Angel of Death,” is accused of committing severe crimes, including murder and rape, during his tenure from 2015 to 2020, a period marked by instability following the overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi.
Prosecutors presented their case to judges, detailing the alleged atrocities committed at the Tripoli facility. Deputy prosecutor Nazhat Khan highlighted testimonies from nearly 1,000 victims, describing El Hishri’s acts of violence, notably in the women’s section of the prison. The accused, known for carrying a firearm, reportedly shot prisoners in their legs or knees. Khan emphasized, “These were not the acts of rogue Mitiga prison guards.”
El Hishri, aged 47, sat impassively in court as the charges were detailed. This hearing serves as an opportunity for prosecutors to outline their evidence, after which judges have 60 days to decide if the case warrants a full trial.
El Hishri was extradited to the Netherlands by Germany, where he was apprehended in July on a sealed ICC warrant. This case marks the first instance of a Libyan suspect potentially facing trial at the ICC, following the United Nations Security Council’s 2011 directive to investigate Libya amid chaos after Gadhafi’s fall.
Despite an arrest warrant issued for Gadhafi, he was killed by rebels before being captured. Currently, the ICC has outstanding warrants for nine other Libyan suspects, including one of Gadhafi’s sons. A related incident saw Italy arrest and subsequently release Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, on a technicality, causing discontent among human rights advocates. Al-Masri is also linked to crimes at the Mitiga prison.
