Human Rights Watch Urges Libya to Surrender Militia Leader Osama Njeem to International Criminal Court Over Alleged War Crimes

Human Rights Watch urges Libyan authorities to surrender militia leader Osama Njeem to the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity at Mitiga Prison.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 11, 2026, 6:45 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Human Rights Watch

Demands for Judicial Cooperation in Tripoli

Human Rights Watch has issued an urgent directive to the Libyan government to surrender Osama Elmasry Njeem to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Njeem holds a senior position within the Deterrence Apparatus for Countering Terrorism and Organized Crime, a powerful Tripoli based militia formally affiliated with the Presidential Council. While Njeem was reportedly detained by local authorities in November 2025, his current whereabouts remain undisclosed, and Libyan officials have not yet initiated the formal extradition process required by international law.

Allegations of Systematic Abuse at Mitiga Prison

The ICC warrant for Njeem’s arrest centers on a series of grave violations allegedly perpetrated at Mitiga Prison since 2015. The charges include murder, torture, and rape, highlighting a broader pattern of abuse within detention facilities managed by unaccountable armed groups. Advocates argue that the reported arrest of such a high profile figure provides a rare opportunity for Libya to demonstrate its commitment to international justice and the rule of law, particularly given the historical lack of accountability for militia leaders.

International Legal Obligations and Jurisdictional Disputes

Although Libya is not a formal member of the ICC, it remains legally bound to cooperate with the court under a 2011 United Nations Security Council resolution. Furthermore, the Libyan government explicitly accepted the court’s jurisdiction in May 2025 for crimes committed on its territory through 2027. Despite these obligations, the Libyan Minister of Justice has expressed principled opposition to extraditing nationals, creating a significant legal and diplomatic impasse between Tripoli and The Hague.