International Criminal Court Issues War Crimes Arrest Warrants for Six Libyan Suspects

Six Libyan suspects are now facing arrest warrants for alleged war crimes, as the International Criminal Court takes action in response to Libya’s ongoing conflict. Find out more about the ICC’s move.

On Friday, the International Criminal Court revealed arrest warrants for six individuals purportedly connected to a violent Libyan militia responsible for numerous killings and other offenses in a key western town where mass graves were uncovered in 2020.

Since a NATO-supported uprising in 2011 led to the overthrow and death of long-standing dictator Moammar Gadhafi, Libya has experienced ongoing political instability. The country has since been divided between competing administrations located in the east and west, each supported by various militias and foreign governments.

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan stated that his investigation has collected evidence “showing that residents of Tarhunah have experienced acts constituting war crimes, such as murder, violations against personal dignity, cruel treatment, torture, sexual violence and rape.”

The court revealed warrants for six individuals: Abdelrahim al-Kani, Makhlouf Douma, Nasser al-Lahsa, Mohammed Salheen, Abdelbari al-Shaqaqi, and Fathi al-Zinkal.

READ ALSO: Africa’s biggest oil refinery pursues Libyan crude – Reuters

Khan stated that three of the suspects were either leaders or high-ranking members of the Al Kaniyat militia, which governed Tarhunah from at least 2015 until June 2020. Additionally, three other suspects were Libyan security officials linked to the militia during the period when these alleged crimes took place.

Warrants for four of the suspects were issued in April 2023, and two additional ones followed in July. However, all remained under seal.

Khan stated, “I now believe that the most effective way to achieve arrest and surrender is by making these warrants public.”

The mass graves in Tarhunah were discovered after the militia withdrew, following military commander Khalifa Hifter’s unsuccessful 14-month campaign to seize control of Tripoli from various militias supporting the former U.N.-recognized government.

The ICC lacks its own police force and depends on cooperation from its 124 member states to execute arrest warrants. Khan mentioned that his office is “aiming to collaborate closely with Libyan authorities so these individuals can be brought before a court of law” and is coordinating with court officials to facilitate their arrest.

In 2011, at the behest of the U.N. Security Council, the court launched an investigation in Libya. Swiftly thereafter, it issued warrants for individuals such as former dictator Gadhafi; however, he was killed before being apprehended and brought to trial. The court still wants Gadhafi’s son, Saif Al-Islam Gadhafi.