Libya: war crimes suspect 'shooting ten people' in video must be brought to justice

Mahmoud al-Werfalli, already wanted by the ICC, appears to shoot dead ten blindfolded figures in horrifying Benghazi video

Responding to reports that Mahmoud al-Werfalli - former Field Commander of the Special Forces Brigade affiliated to the Libyan National Army and a war crimes suspect wanted by the International Criminal Court - extrajudicially executed ten people in Benghazi yesterday, Heba Morayef, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Director, said:

“As long as indicted war crimes suspects feel they can carry on committing grave violations without facing justice, the prospects for establishing rule of law in Libya will remain grim. 

“The onus is now on the General Commander of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Hafter, and the Libyan authorities to ensure that Mahmoud al-Werfalli is handed to the ICC, making it clear that those who commit war crimes and other serious violations will be brought to justice.”  

Earlier today, footage emerged on social media appearing to show Mahmoud al-Werfalli extrajudicially executing ten people. The footage shows al-Werfalli standing in front of ten men who are wearing blue jumpsuits and blindfolds, lined up on their knees with their hands tied behind their backs. 

Al-Werfalli is then shown shooting a single bullet to the head of each man, after which he continues shooting at the dead bodies. The footage appears to have been taken on 24 January in Benghazi, in front of Baiha Radwan Mosque. This location was the sight of two car bombings two hours earlier that, according to local media, claimed 34 lives and wounded 71 people.

Arrest warrant issued by ICC

Mahmoud al-Werfalli is wanted by the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes last August. Yesterday’s video is the latest in a series of videos that show al-Werfalli carrying out extrajudicial killings of defenseless unarmed captives which took place on seven different occasions.