Libyan war criminal on BER arrested - what is coming now?

Libyan war criminal on BER arrested - what is coming now?

Flughafen BER, Deutschland - Yesterday it became known that a suspected Libyan militias leader was arrested at Berlin-Schönefeld Airport. Chaled al-Hischri, also known as Al-Buti, was arrested at the request of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The 46-year-old is accused of serious crimes, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, reports [Deutschlandfunk] (https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/mutmasslicher-libyscher-kriegskrecher-fest, 100.html).

al-Hischri, a leading member of the Rada militia in Tripoli, is also known for his role as head of a women's prison, which is located on the site of Mitiga airport controlled by the Rada militia. Numerous human rights violations are said to have been documented in this prison, including ill -treatment and torture. The arrest draws attention to the brutal conditions that prevailed there, and the continuing challenges in protecting human rights in Libya, added [Zeit] (https://www.zeitung.de/politik/ausland/2025-07/libyscher-milizzenfuehrer-Festival-berer Airport).

international legal situation

The situation around Al-Hischri throws a light on the functions and the importance of the International Criminal Court, which took up its work in 2002. According to the Federal Foreign Office] (https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/aussenpolitik/regelbasigen-international-verge/voelkerrecht-internationales-recht/203432-203432), the ISC is not only responsible for the persecution of crimes against humanity, but also acts as a complementary court to national legal systems. He is active if states are unable or not willing to pursue serious crimes. The jurisdiction only applies if the state of crime or the perpetrator is the contracting state of the Roman statute or has recognized this jurisdiction.

How this case will develop remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the international instances are still required to give the victims of war crimes a voice and to ensure justice.