Mr Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri's initial appearance is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, at 13:30 hours (The Hague local time), before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC or "the Court").
Mr El Hishri, a national of Libya, was arrested on 16 July 2025 by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Germany pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued under seal by ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I on 10 July 2025. He was surrendered to the custody of the Court on 1 December 2025. He is alleged to have been one of the most senior Mitiga Prison officials, where thousands of persons were detained for prolonged periods. Mr El Hishri is suspected of having committed directly himself, ordered or overseen crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence, allegedly committed in Libya from February 2015 to early 2020.
During the initial appearance hearing, the judges will verify the identity of the suspect and the language in which he is able to follow the proceedings. He will be informed of the charges against him and of his rights under the ICC Rome Statute. Pre-Trial Chamber I is composed of Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, presiding judge, Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera.
Scheduling order for the first appearance of Mr Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri
Questions and Answers on the case
Webstreaming of the hearing:
The hearing can be followed with a thirty-minute delay in English, French and Arabic on the ICC website, in Arabic on Facebook and in English and Arabic on YouTube.
Attending the hearing:
- Members of the diplomatic corps and civil society and other members of the public can request attendance via email to: before 2 December at 17:00 (The Hague local time). Attendees must present a valid passport or valid ID with a photo at the main entrance of the Court (at: Oude Waalsdorperweg 10, 2597 AK The Hague).
- Journalists wishing to cover the hearing can request accreditation via email to: before 2 December at 17:00 (The Hague local time). All journalists must present a valid press card, and a valid passport or valid ID with a photo, at the main entrance of the Court (at: Oude Waalsdorperweg 10, 2597 AK The Hague).
The number of visitors in the public gallery is limited. The principle 'first come, first served' will be applied. Individuals who have not received a confirmation in advance of the hearing will not be granted access to the building. Those attending are advised to arrive 20 minutes in advance before the hearing starts.
AV materials:
Images of the hearing will be available for download on an FTP server in video (MPEG-4) and audio (MPEG-3) format, and for viewing on the official ICC YouTube Channel.
Photographs of the hearing will be available on the ICC Flickr account
