The head of Libya’s judicial police was arrested after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant over allegations of war crimes, according to media reports.
Osama Najim, who heads the Mitiga detention center in Tripoli, was reportedly arrested on Sunday in the Italian city of Turin.
Former detainees from various centers have described abuses, such as torture and systematic rape. In 2022, the UN said it had uncovered evidence of “serious rights violations”.
Mr. Najim was arrested in a hotel following a tip from the international police Interpol, Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported.
Italian migrant relief charity Mediterranea Saving Humans said the arrest came after a “difficult” ICC investigation involving “years of complaints and testimony from victims”.
An ICC spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions from the BBC.
Mediterranea Saving Humans also criticized Italy’s long-standing controversial agreement, under which Italy trains and funds the coast guard to intercept migrant boats.
Under the agreement, Libya is expected to help reduce the number of migrants crossing the country and arriving in Italy.
At the time of his arrest, Mr. Najim was with other Libyan citizens and was planning to go to a stadium, Attorney General Lucia Musti told La Repubblica.
Mr. Najim’s case is said to have been referred to the Justice Ministry and the Rome Court of Appeal.
