ICC Confirms Charges Against Former Libyan Prison Chief

Jul 17, 2026

70 min

Jul 17, 2026 01:30

ICC confirms charges against ex-Libyan prison boss

## Charges Confirmed by ICC

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed charges against Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, a former Libyan prison chief, for 17 counts of serious crimes, including murder, rape, and torture. El Hishri, known as the "Angel of Death," is accused of committing these crimes at Mitiga prison near Tripoli between February 2015 and early 2020.

## Allegations and Witness Accounts

According to ICC prosecutors, El Hishri was a "notorious torturer" responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Witnesses have described his brutal methods, including shooting prisoners in the legs and knees, hanging them with bound hands, and beating them with a shovel. He is also accused of personally committing acts of rape, murder, and torture.

## Defense and Court Proceedings

El Hishri's defense lawyer, Yasser Mohamed Ahmed Hassan, has denied the allegations and questioned the ICC's jurisdiction over the case. However, the judges dismissed these challenges, allowing the charges to be confirmed. The ICC deputy prosecutor, Nazhat Shameem Khan, emphasized the importance of a swift trial to deliver justice to the victims.

## Context of the Case

This trial marks the first stemming from a UN-mandated investigation into Libya, initiated in 2011. Libya continues to face instability following the 2011 uprising that ousted Muammar Gaddafi. The country remains divided, with a UN-recognized government in the west and a rival faction in the east led by Khalifa Haftar.

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