On 14 September 2026, Trial Chamber VII of the International Criminal Court (ICC) scheduled the opening of the trial in the case of The Prosecutor v. Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri for 4 May 2027.
This date was set by the Chamber following a Status Conference on the matter as well as in view of the respective submissions by the Prosecution, the Defence and the Legal Representatives of Victims, as well as considering the necessary time for the disclosure of evidence and other materials.
Before the opening of the trial, the Chamber will address all pending matters and adopt the procedures necessary to facilitate the fair and expeditious conduct of the proceedings.
Detailed practical information for the trial proceedings, including webstreaming links and possible attendance, will be circulated closer to the trial date. Trial Chamber III is composed of Presiding Judge Althea Violet Alexis-Windsor, Judge Miatta Maria Samba and Judge Beti Hohler.
Decision Setting the Commencement Date of the Trial
Background: Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, also known as Khaled 'Al Booti' or 'Sheikh Khaled' (Al Hishri), is a national of Libya, born on 23 June 1978 in Tripoli, Libya. Mr Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri is alleged to have been one of the most senior Mitiga Prison officials, where thousands of persons were detained for prolonged periods. A senior official of the Special Deterrence Forces, known as SDF/RADA, he was also in charge of the area of Mitiga Prison where women and young children were detained. He is accused of being both a direct perpetrator of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence, allegedly committed in Libya from 1 May 2014 and 30 June 2020, and of having made an essential contribution to the organisation's common plan that resulted in the charged crimes. The warrant of arrest against Mr El Hishri was issued under seal on 10 July 2025 and reclassified as "Public" on 31 July 2025. On 1 December 2025, Mr El Hishri was surrendered to the ICC after being arrested on 16 July 2025 by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Germany pursuant to the warrant of arrest. His initial appearance took place on 3 December 2025. The confirmation of charges hearing took place from 19-21 May 2026. On 16 July 2026, Pre-Trial Chamber I unanimously confirmed all charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes brought by the Prosecutor against Mr El Hishri.
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