Suspect in Libyan war crimes arrested in Germany by order for the ICC

A Libyan man suspected of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity has been arrested in Germany by order issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Khaled Mohammed Ali El Hishhry, known as “Al-Buti”, claims to have been one of the highest employees in the Mitig Prison Complex in the capital Tripoli, where thousands of people were detained.

He was suspected of committing, disposing or observing crimes, including murder, torture and rape.

It is alleged that the atrocities were carried out in the detention department near Tripoli in the five years of 2015. There is no evidence of it to comment on the allegations.

The ICC has issued 11 arrest orders in connection with alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Libya after the extinguishing and murder of the longtime leader of the country, Muammar Gaddafi, who immersed Libya in a civil war.

The situation was aimed at the UN Security Council in February 2011. At the beginning of the protests, which led to the expulsion of Gaddafi later that year, with the help of NATO forces.

In his referral, the Security Council condemned “violence and use of power against civilians … The rude and systematic violation of human rights, including the repression of peaceful demonstrators.”

He also expressed a “deep concern for the death of civilians” while “rejecting unequivocally inciting hostility and violence against the civilian population, made from the highest level of the Libyan government,” then in Gaddafi.

Following the departure of Gaddafi, after six decades of power, Libya is divided into areas controlled by different militias and is currently divided between two rival governments.

On May 12, 2025, Libya adopted the jurisdiction of the ICC over its territory from 2011 to the end of 2027.

Eight other public arrest orders of the ICC are still hanging in connection with the violence, which followed the fall of Gaddafi.

Earlier this year, Italy contradicts Osama Naimy – Also known as Almasry – who was supposedly the director of the Mitig Center.

Amnesty International says the rally prison was the place of “horrific violations committed with complete impunity.”

Some of those who are stored in the rally are migrants trying to reach Europe.

Najim was released due to legal technicality, according to sources in the Italian Ministry of Italy.

ICC said that Najim was released from Italy “without prior notice or consultation in court” and issued another arrest warrant for him. He remains a fugitive.

Hishhri will remain in a detention in Germany until the arrangements are made to be handed over to the arrest of the ICC and to extradite itself to face justice in the Hague.

His case will join others in the court’s continuing efforts to deal with the crimes committed during Libya’s conflict, although other suspects remain at large.