Almasri's ex-deputy, captured in Germany, from Mitiga's faction
In a significant development, Khaled al Hisri, also known as Al-Buti, has been arrested in Germany and is facing potential extradition to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague. The arrest, made at Frankfurt International Airport, was based on a sealed ICC warrant charging him with serious crimes allegedly committed in Libya, including torture, arbitrary detention, sexual violence, confiscation of property, and inhumane treatment of detainees, mainly at Mitiga Prison in Tripoli, which was controlled by the Rada militia that he commands.
Al-Buti is a high-ranking member of the Rada police-military force and is one of the top figures in the force, closely associated with Libyan general Osama Najim (also known as Osama Almasri), another fugitive wanted by the ICC. The ICC charges focus on war crimes linked to militias in Libya’s ongoing conflict, with the arrest seen as a landmark step toward international justice for abuses committed during the post-revolution turmoil.
Currently, German authorities are assessing Al Hisri's case, and if they approve the ICC’s request, he could be extradited to The Hague for trial. This would mark the first instance of a Libyan militia leader being handed over to the ICC, reflecting rising international pressure to hold militia leaders accountable for violations of human rights and international law.
Meanwhile, the government of Tripoli has also shown its intention to transfer General Almasri to The Hague. Almasri was arrested in Italy on January 10 and returned to Tripoli on January 21 on a flight organized by the Rome authorities. Two days ago, the government of Tripoli revoked all functional immunities granted to General Almasri, indicating a move towards holding him accountable for his actions.
European lawmakers and rights activists have welcomed the arrests as an important move against impunity in Libya. The disbanding of armed groups originally affiliated with the central government in Libya is also seen as a positive step towards restoring peace and order in the country.
The arrest of Khaled al Hisri was reported in an Italian newspaper, Avvenire, and his affiliation is with General Almasri's judicial police. An extradition request to the International Criminal Court in The Hague for Al Hisri could soon be made, marking another significant milestone in bringing justice to Libya’s conflict.
Politics and general-news outlets are reporting that Khaled al Hisri, a high-ranking member of the Rada police-military force and an associate of Libyan general Osama Najim (also known as Osama Almasri), faces potential extradition to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague for alleged war crimes. Crime-and-justice officials are carefully assessing Al Hisri's case, and if they approve the ICC’s request, he could become the first Libyan militia leader to be handed over to the ICC, marking a significant advancement in international efforts to hold militia leaders accountable for human rights and international law violations.
