In a recent development that has sparked reactions from human rights organizations, eastern Libya’s authorities have executed 10 individuals following their convictions on terrorism-related charges by military courts. This move has come amid ongoing political divisions within the country.
The military prosecutor’s office in eastern Libya confirmed that these individuals were executed by firing squad after prolonged trials. The trials were conducted under the jurisdiction of the Libyan National Army, a powerful faction led by General Khalifa Hifter, which holds sway over Libya’s eastern and southern regions.
According to the prosecutor’s statement, the individuals faced charges such as forming terrorist groups and assassinating military and civilian personnel. Although the statement did not specify when or where these executions occurred, it emphasized that all legal procedures had been completed.
Reports from local media suggest that the executions took place at the Qarnada military prison in Shahat, with families being notified to collect the bodies from a Benghazi hospital.
Human rights organizations have voiced concerns over the trials and subsequent executions. The National Institution for Human Rights in Libya criticized the military trials of civilians, arguing that they “raise fundamental questions concerning jurisdiction, judicial independence, and guarantees of a fair trial.”
The organization urged Libya’s chief prosecutor and judicial bodies to review the executions and the judicial processes involved. They referenced a Constitutional Court ruling deeming the trial of civilians in military courts for terrorism and state-related offenses unconstitutional.
International rights groups have consistently condemned the detention and execution of individuals following unfair trials. Amnesty International highlighted that Libya continues to apply the death penalty for various offenses, with courts in both the east and west of the country imposing death sentences after “grossly unfair trials.”
Libya’s complex political landscape has been marked by chaos and division since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that resulted in the ousting and death of Moammar Gadhafi. The nation remains split between competing administrations, each supported by various militias and foreign powers.
