BREAKING: ICC SETS 4 MAY 2027 FOR OPENING OF EL HISHRI TRIAL
The International Criminal Court has announced that the trial of Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri will open on 4 May 2027 in The Hague, marking another historic step in the pursuit of accountability for crimes committed inside Libya’s detention system.
El Hishri is currently in ICC custody and faces 17 confirmed charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes arising from alleged crimes committed principally against people detained at Mitiga Prison and within the Mitiga Compound in Tripoli between 1 May 2014 and 30 June 2020.
The charges include torture, cruel treatment, imprisonment, outrages upon personal dignity and other inhumane acts; rape, attempted rape and other forms of sexual violence; murder and attempted murder; enslavement; and persecution. On 16 July 2026, Pre-Trial Chamber I unanimously confirmed all 17 charges, finding substantial grounds to believe that El Hishri bears responsibility, and committed him to trial.
According to the ICC, the alleged crimes were committed against thousands of people detained for prolonged periods while the Special Deterrence Force, commonly known as RADA/SDF, operated Mitiga Prison. El Hishri is alleged to have been one of the prison’s most senior officials and to have exercised particular authority over the section in which women and young children were detained.
The case is especially significant because it is the first case arising from the ICC’s Libya investigation to advance to trial, after more than 15 years of investigation into crimes committed in the country.
El Hishri was arrested by German authorities on 16 July 2025 pursuant to an ICC arrest warrant issued under seal on 10 July 2025. He was surrendered to the Court on 1 December 2025 and made his first appearance before ICC judges two days later. His confirmation of charges hearing was held from 19 to 21 May 2026.
The confirmation proceedings also relied significantly on the participation of victims. The Chamber acknowledged contributions from 63 people who provided witness statements, 47 of whom were former detainees.
For Refugees in Libya, this case is very important for the communities we represent. Mitiga forms part of the wider system of arbitrary detention, torture, sexual violence, forced labour and other abuses that survivors, refugees and migrants in Libya have documented and endured for years.
The opening of the trial therefore represents much more and will likely open up chances for wider public scrutiny.
It represents the moment when allegations that survivors carried for years will finally enter a full trial before international judges.
It is also a reminder that justice delayed must not become justice denied.
Between now and 4 May 2027, Refugees in Libya will continue working with survivors, victims, legal representatives, civil society organisations and solidarity movements to ensure that affected communities are able to follow and engage with the proceedings safely and meaningfully.
4 May 2027 — The Hague.
For many who survived Mitiga, the road to this courtroom has already taken more than a decade.
The trial will now determine criminal responsibility on the evidence presented before the Court. The confirmation of the charges is not a finding of guilt, and El Hishri is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
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