Libya Crimes Watch (LCW) has documented the death of Qarira Ramadan Al-Mazoughi (65 years old), a detainee held for over four years in Mitiga prison, which is under the control of the Deterrence Agency for Countering Terrorism and Organized Crimes (“Al-Radaa”), affiliated with the Libyan Presidential Council. Al-Mazoughi was killed on Wednesday, 14 May 2025, as a result of a shell striking one of the prison wards during armed clashes in the capital, Tripoli. LCW has also monitored injuries sustained by at least four (4) other detainees due to shell fragments. The fate of other detainees remains unknown amidst a complete lack of transparency and the absence of any preventative measures to ensure their safety.
LCW strongly condemns the targeting of Mitiga Prison, which resulted in Al-Mazoughi’s death and the injury of other detainees. Such an attack constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law (IHL). LCW further expresses deep concern regarding the ongoing practices of arbitrary detention affecting hundreds of individuals held at Mitiga Prison in harsh and inhumane conditions, without judicial oversight.
LCW holds the Libyan Presidential Council and the Government of National Unity (GNU) fully legally responsible for the safety and well-being of all detainees, in their capacity as the authorities responsible for oversight of prisons and detention facilities, and in accordance with their obligations to protect detainees under their effective control.
- LCW calls on the Libyan Attorney General to launch an urgent, independent, and transparent investigation into the death of Qarira Al-Mazoughi and the injuries sustained by other detainees, and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with international fair trial standards.
- LCW further urges the authorities in western Libya to immediately and unconditionally release all individuals arbitrarily detained in Mitiga Prison, including those for whom release orders have been issued by the Public Prosecution, and those who have been detained without due legal process.
- LCW reiterates its demand for the closure of Mitiga Prison, which operates as an unlawful detention facility, failing to meet the minimum international human rights standards, and is effectively administered by Al-Radaa, an entity that lacks judicial accountability.
- LCW also calls on the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to continue its investigations into serious violations committed within prisons and detention centres across Libya, which may constitute crimes falling under the Court’s jurisdiction.
- Furthermore, LCW urges the OTP to examine the command responsibility of Abdulraouf Kara, the head of Al-Radaa, for the grave violations committed at Mitiga Prison, in accordance with the principle of command responsibility as articulated in the Rome Statute.
