Libyan Crimes Watch: Domestic trial of Njeem doesn’t exempt Libya from executing warrant

The Libyan Crimes Watch (LCW) Organization has called on the Attorney General to disclose details of the court ruling against Osama Njeem, who is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) following his conviction for torture-related crimes at Mitiga Prison.

In a statement, the organization urged authorities to reveal the details and facts examined during the judicial proceedings, ensuring transparency and safeguarding the right of victims and the public to be informed about the course of the case.

LCW explained that the ruling issued under Libyan law concerns Njeem’s conviction for acts of torture, whereas the ICC arrest warrant is based on allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, torture, persecution, and other offenses committed against detainees at Mitiga Prison.

LCW expressed concern that the domestic ruling could be used to justify non-cooperation with the ICC and obstruct Njeem’s surrender, despite the continued validity of the arrest warrant and the serious international crimes it alleges.

The organization added that these concerns are heightened by information it has documented indicating that Njeem is not actually being held in custody and that he has continued to exercise influence within Mitiga Prison in recent months, raising serious questions about the implementation of the announced arrest and judicial measures against him.

LCW renewed its call on authorities in both eastern and western Libya to execute the ICC arrest warrants, surrender Osama Njeem and all other wanted individuals to ICC, and fulfill their international obligations in a manner that ensures effective accountability for serious international crimes and helps put an end to impunity.