Khaled al-Hishri, a renegade who is infamously known as ‘Al-Buti’ and happens to be a senior commander in Libya’s religious-based Rada militia, has been arrested by German authorities at Frankfurt International Airport.
His arrest is based on a sealed arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for serious crimes allegedly committed in Libya.
Among the crimes charged onto ‘Al-Buti,’ include torture, arbitrary detention, sexual violence, and confiscation of property, as well as inhumane treatment of detainees.
The atrocities were mainly committed at the Mitiga Prison in Tripoli, which was under Rada’s control.
Rada, once a key ally of the Western Region Government, has now become a main rival within Western region, specifically Tripoli, leading to multiple deadly clashes with pro-government militias.
These battles have killed hundreds of civilians and caused widespread destruction across the capital.
Khaled Al-Hishri, who is the deputy of Osama Najim, another fugitive also wanted by the International Criminal Court, was reportedly among six individuals targeted in recent ICC warrants.
His arrest comes amid rising international pressure to hold militias accountable for war crimes, especially in light of ongoing abuses linked to Rada.
Just two days before the arrest, Libya’s Government of Western region revoked legal immunity for al-Hishri’s superior, signalling a shift in official stance.
If Germany approves the International Criminal Court’s extradition request, Al-Hishri could become the first Libyan militia leader to be handed over to The Hague, for trials.
This is described to be a landmark step toward justice in Libya’s post-revolution conflict.
European lawmakers and rights activists seem to have also welcomed the arrest of Khaled al-Hishri saying it was a rare and critical opportunity to begin dismantling the culture of impunity that has long plagued Libya.