The arrest of Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri on 16 July 2025 by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Germany marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for victims of serious international crimes. Pursuant to a sealed arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mr Hishri is accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed in Libya, including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence. The International Bar Association’s (IBA) International Criminal Court and International Criminal Law (ICC & ICL) Programme welcomes the arrest as an important step towards justice for victims.

IBA Executive Director Dr Mark Ellis commented: ‘The Arrest of Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri brings hope for justice for victims of alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in Libya. We commend the German authorities for their cooperation with the ICC. This arrest exemplifies the vital role that national cooperation plays in upholding international justice and reinforcing the rule of law.’

Mr El Hishri, a senior official of the armed group Special Deterrence Forces (SDF or RADA), is alleged to have committed, ordered or overseen crimes against humanity and war crimes from February 2015 to early 2020 at Mitiga Prison in Libya. He was arrested by the German authorities pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by the ICC under seal on 10 July 2025. He is currently in the custody of German authorities pending the completion of national proceedings to confirm his identity and to ensure his rights have been respected and protected during the arrest, in accordance with Article 59 of the Rome Statute. The ICC Office of the Prosecutor welcomed the arrest.

While Libya is not a State Party to the Rome Statute, the ICC has jurisdiction for crimes allegedly committed on its territory from 15 February 2011 onwards following a referral by the United Nations Security Council in Resolution 1970 (2011). On 12 May 2025, Libya submitted a declaration under Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute accepting the ICC's jurisdiction with respect to crimes allegedly committed in its territory from 2011 to the end of 2027. Currently, seven other suspects remain at large.

IBA ICC & ICL Programme Director Kate Orlovsky stated: ‘The IBA’s ICC & ICL Programme has long advocated for stronger international cooperation with the ICC emphasising that arrests and prosecutions are possible when States Parties uphold their obligations under the Rome Statute. The recent arrest of Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri underscores the importance of continued commitment from all nations. It demonstrates that when States Parties uphold their Rome Statute obligations, justice can be served. We encourage other countries to cooperate fully with the Court to ensure that it can discharge its mandate effectively so that perpetrators are held accountable.’

In July 2025, the Programme issued the report No Arrests, No Trials, No Justice containing recommendations on actions that the Assembly of States Parties and individual states can take to strengthen cooperation with the Court for arrest and surrender.

ENDS

Contact: IBApressoffice@int-bar.org

Notes to the reader

1. Related items:
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2. The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, is the foremost organisation for international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. Established in 1947, shortly after the creation of the United Nations, it was born out of the conviction that an organisation made up of the world's bar associations could contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice.

3. The IBA commenced the International Criminal Court and International Criminal Law (ICC & ICL) Programme in 2005. Since its establishment, the IBA ICC & ICL Programme has contributed to the development of international criminal justice through monitoring and analysing issues related to fairness and equality of arms at the ICC, and through conducting outreach to deepen the understanding of the place of the ICC within the broader landscape of international justice and in particular contexts. The Programme works to increase cooperation with and support for the ICC and other accountability efforts, with the goal of strengthening the Rome Statute system globally and achieving fair, effective, and accessible justice for victims of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression.

   The Programme also acts as the interface between the courts and the global legal community. As such, special focus is placed on monitoring emerging issues of particular relevance to lawyers and collaborating with key partners on specific activities to increase engagement of the legal community on ICC and ICL issues.

   Based in The Hague, the IBA ICC & ICL Programme consults and engages with court officials, state representatives, civil society organisations, academics and international lawyers.

4. Find the IBA ICC & ICL (@IBAHagueOffice) on X here:
   • x.com/IBAHagueOffice
5. Find the IBA on social media here:
   • x.com/IBAnews
   • x.com/IBAevents
   • www.facebook.com/internationalbarassociation
   • www.linkedin.com/company/international-bar-association

Kate Orlovsky
Director, Hague Office
International Bar Association
Nassaulaan 19
2514 JT The Hague
The Netherlands

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Email: kate.orlovsky@int-bar.org
Website: www.ibanet.org

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Website page link for this news release:
Short link: https://tinyurl.com/3rxwn5w6
Full link: https://www.ibanet.org/Khaled-Mohamed-Ali-El-Hishris-arrest-gives-Libyas-victims-hope-for-justice