In a statement released last Friday (18 July), the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court welcomed the arrest of the suspect, Mr Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, on 16 July 2025 by authorities of the Federal Republic of Germany pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued by the ICC.
The statement continued: ‘‘A Libyan national, Mr El Hishri was arrested in the context of the Office’s ongoing investigation in the Situation in Libya. The Office looks forward to Mr El Hishri’s transfer to the ICC in due course.
On the basis of its independent and impartial investigation, the Office alleges that Mr El Hishri, a senior official of the armed group Special Deterrence Forces, known as SDF / RADA, is criminally responsible for numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Libya, in or near Mitiga Prison, from around February 2015 to, at least, early 2020. During that time, Mr El Hishri was one of the most senior officials of Mitiga Prison, where thousands of persons were detained for prolonged periods. The Office filed an application for a warrant for his arrest on 3 April 2025.
In the warrant of arrest it issued on 10 July 2025, Pre-Trial Chamber I agreed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr El Hishri is criminally responsible for crimes including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence.
The arrest of Mr El Hishri is an important development in the Office’s efforts to seek accountability in the Situation in Libya, particularly for crimes in detention facilities, in accordance with its renewed strategy under UN Security Council resolution 1970 (2011) and Libya’s declaration accepting ICC jurisdiction with respect to alleged crimes in its territory from 2011 to the end of 2027. In recent reports to the UN Security Council, the Office had identified the arrest and trial of a suspect in this situation in 2025 as a key priority. In coordination with the Registry, we have now taken a key step towards realising this priority.
The Office has identified crimes committed in detention facilities as a key line of investigation. It has been able to effectively implement this strategic approach through the excellent work of the Libya Unified Team, under the guidance and leadership of Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan. The Office is grateful to Registry partners who have effectively supported the arrest, in close coordination with the OTP’s newly-established Tracking and Information Fusion Section.
This is an important moment. We can now look towards the first judicial proceedings in the Libya situation before the Court. The Prosecution stands ready for Mr El Hishri’s trial at the ICC.
Finally, and most importantly, the Office wishes to thank all the victims and witnesses from Libya who have stepped forward to cooperate in the investigation. Their strength, courage and commitment make these important developments possible.
The Office’s investigation in the Situation in Libya continues. The work is proceeding across multiple lines of inquiry, including more action with respect to crimes in detention facilities. In pursuing further accountability in this situation, the Office continues to rely on the partnership of national authorities, regional and international organisations, and the communities affected by Rome Statute crimes. ‘’
