LNA Libya Major linked with execution cases

Unconfirmed reports have surfaced of five recent summary executions in the Libyan town of Ajdabiya in which Saiqa Special Forces Major Mahmoud Al-Werfalli is believed to be involved in.

The news will come as a surprise to many as Al-Werfalli is supposed to be in custody under the Libyan National Army (LNA) pending an investigation into crimes he has been linked with this year.

Al-Werfalli has been accused of war crimes and has an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) after videos surfaced this year showing the summary execution of 33 men wearing orange jumpsuits that were detained after Benghazi was captured by LNA forces.

Al-Werfalli is allegedly seen directing the executions and then partaking in the last few executions of the remaining men. Holding the gun in his left hand, Al-Werfalli was identified as the figure captured in the disturbing video.

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The ICC announced on 17 August that it wanted Al-Werfalli handed over for trial at The Hague but the LNA has since said that it has launched its own investigation and has allegedly detained Al-Werfalli since 2 August.

Last month an LNA source denied a rumour that Al-Werfalli had been released, however he was reportedly sighted last night visiting LNA units in the Oil Crescent.

Al-Werfalli reportedly submitted his resignation from his role after the execution videos surfaced, but the LNA refused to accept it.

This is not the first time the LNA has been linked with abuses; during the capture of Benghazi militants were summarily executed by LNA fighters and their mutilated bodies paraded around the town. The Libyan National Commission for Human Rights at the time described it as a war crime.