Overview
- Libya’s Prosecutor General ordered Almasri’s arrest in Tripoli, placing him in pretrial detention and referring him to the judiciary on accusations of torturing at least ten detainees and causing one death.
- The charges stem from alleged abuses at the Tripoli reform and rehabilitation facility known as Mitiga during Almasri’s tenure overseeing prison security.
- Almasri has been wanted for years by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, and it remains unresolved whether he will be tried in Libya or transferred to The Hague.
- The case revives fallout in Italy after authorities arrested Almasri in Turin on an ICC warrant in January but returned him to Libya when the Justice Ministry did not pursue extradition.
- Lawyers for alleged victims, including Angela Bitonti, say they will seek compensation from the Italian state, while opposition parties renew criticism of officials involved in the January decision.