Italian authorities have arrested Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes. Al-Masri, head of the Tripoli branch of the Reform and Rehabilitation Institution (RRI), a network of detention centers under Libya’s Special Defense Force (SDF), was detained in Turin on Sunday.
The arrest followed an ICC warrant issued for crimes linked to Libya’s detention facilities, where human rights organizations have documented severe abuses. Reports indicate that al-Masri attended a Juventus-Milan soccer match the night before his apprehension.
The SDF, a militia operating under the government-backed military police, has been implicated in numerous atrocities since the Libyan civil war, which began after the fall of dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. Al-Masri’s detention marks a critical step toward accountability for these crimes, as hailed by Ali Omar of Libya Crimes Watch.
“This is a positive initiative that could reduce systematic violations in Libyan prisons,” Omar stated, urging Italy to extradite al-Masri to The Hague for prosecution.
The arrest has drawn condemnation from some Libyan factions. Abdel-Moaz Nouri Abu Arqoub, head of the RRI in Ain Zara, labeled the detention “arbitrary” and criticized Italy’s actions as “shameful.” Libya’s government has yet to comment officially.
The ICC has actively pursued justice in Libya since 2011, issuing several warrants related to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Currently, the court holds 11 active warrants, with seven suspects still at large. Investigations into crimes at Libyan detention facilities are ongoing, with new warrants expected in 2025.
Libya remains divided between rival governments and armed factions, complicating the enforcement of justice. Western Libya, controlled by militias aligned with the government in Tripoli, contrasts sharply with eastern regions under the command of military leader Khalifa Hifter.
Humanitarian organizations, including Mediterranea Saving Humans, have welcomed the arrest, crediting it to years of testimonies from victims. The group, however, criticized Italy for its financial ties to Libya’s coast guard, suggesting these connections undermine efforts to stem abuses against migrants.
Italian journalist Nello Scavo, who has extensively reported on Libyan atrocities, broke the news of al-Masri’s detention, citing dedicated sources.