A high-ranking Libyan military figure, sought internationally for serious human rights violations, has been taken into custody in Tripoli.
The arrest concerns allegations of torture and abuse at the capital’s primary detention facility. According to judicial authorities, the investigation uncovered evidence of cruel and degrading treatment inflicted upon inmates, leading to the death of one prisoner. Prosecutors stated that sufficient grounds exist to proceed with formal charges.
The individual had been the subject of an International Criminal Court warrant. Earlier this year, he was briefly detained in Italy on that warrant before being released and returned to Libya via an Italian military aircraft. The Italian government stated at the time that the swift repatriation was due to national security considerations, a decision that drew criticism from opposition figures and international legal observers.
The case had sparked a judicial inquiry in Italy regarding the use of state resources for the repatriation flight, though that investigation was subsequently closed. The recent arrest by Libyan authorities has reignited political debate in Italy, with opposition leaders calling the prior release a significant error that damaged the nation’s international standing.
This development also brings renewed attention to broader migration cooperation agreements between European nations and Libya. Such pacts, which involve support for the Libyan coastguard to intercept migrant vessels, have been frequently criticized by human rights organizations. They argue these policies result in migrants being returned to conditions where abuse is prevalent.
Libya, while not a signatory to the treaty that established the International Criminal Court, has recently accepted its jurisdiction to probe alleged war crimes within its territory.