The Hague: Europe and the Arabs

The confirmation hearing in the Prosecutor's case against Khaled Mohamed Ali al-Hishri will begin on May 19 before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court, based in The Hague, Netherlands. According to a statement issued by the Court, a copy of which we received, al-Hishri is suspected of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, allegedly perpetrated primarily at Mitiga prison in Libya, between May 1, 2014, and June 30, 2020.

The hearing is scheduled to take place on May 19, 20, and 21, 2026, in Courtroom I. The prosecution, the defense, and legal representatives of the victims will present oral arguments before the judges to present their arguments on the merits of the case. Pre-Trial Chamber I is composed of Judge Julia Antonella Mutoc, President of the Court, and Judges Reine Adelaide Sophie Alabene-Ganso and Maria del Socorro Flores Liera.

According to the International Criminal Court's statement, "The confirmation of charges hearing aims to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed each of the crimes with which he is charged. If one or more charges are confirmed, the case is referred to the Trial Chamber, which handles the next stage of the proceedings: the trial."

Al-Hashri is alleged to have been a senior official at Mitiga prison, where thousands of people were detained for extended periods. According to the prosecution's indictment, Mr. Al-Hashri is suspected of committing 17 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes between May 1, 2014, and June 30, 2020. These crimes included imprisonment or severe deprivation of liberty. Physical abuse, attacks on personal dignity, cruel treatment, torture, and other inhumane acts committed against detainees, particularly in Mitiga prison; rape and other forms of sexual violence; murder; attempted murder; enslavement; and persecution of certain individuals, particularly in Mitiga prison. Al-Hashri was arrested on 16 July 2025 by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Germany pursuant to an arrest warrant issued under the seal of Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court on 10 July 2025. He was surrendered to the Court on 1 December 2025. Al-Hashri made his initial appearance before the Court on 3 December 2025.