ICC Opens Hearing Against Former Libyan Prison Chief Over War Crimes Claims

THE HAGUE — The International Criminal Court began three days of hearings Tuesday against Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, a former commander of Libya’s notorious Mitiga prison, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Prosecutors accuse the 47‑year‑old of personally torturing, raping, sexually abusing, and killing detainees between February 2015 and early 2020. A “significant number” of prisoners died under his watch from untreated injuries, starvation, or exposure, the court alleged. At least five detainees, including a 15‑year‑old boy, were raped by guards or other prisoners.

Tuesday’s proceeding is a “confirmation of charges” hearing, not a full trial. Judges will decide within 60 days whether there is enough evidence to proceed. El Hishri is the first suspect to appear before the ICC in its UN‑mandated Libya investigation, which began in 2011.

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