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Wanted Libya war criminal released by authorities

February 9, 2018 at 11:53 am

Senior military commander of the eastern Libyan army, Mahmoud Al-Werfalli [Lyobserver/Twitter]

The Dignity Operation Command in Libya released Saiqa Forces senior commander Mahmoud Al-Werfalli yesterday after he was taken from the Military Police headquarters in Benghazi to the General Command in a town called Rajma.

On Tuesday, Al-Werfalli handed himself in to the Military Police HQs for investigation called by the International Criminal Court. Shortly afterwards, an armed group led by Khalifa Haftar’s sons stormed the HQs and took Al-Werfalli to Rajma, provoking supporters of Al-Werfalli to protest angrily in Benghazi fearing he would be given to the ICC who has previously called for his extradition.

Al-Werfalli is wanted for committing at least ten summary executions on camera in Benghazi following a car bombing that killed dozens last month. He is also wanted in connection with a mass summary execution that occurred last year in which he was seen orchestrating the killings of dozens of prisoners dressed in orange.

Read: Libya: Senior commander linked to Haftar surrenders

This is not the first time Al-Werfalli has been remanded by Haftar and his self-styled Libyan National Army pending an investigation which has so far failed to charge him with anything.

Several protesters barricaded roads with burning tyres after Al-Werfalliturned himself in whilst others planned to storm the Military Police HQs to demand the General Command release him.

Saiqa sources however later confirmed that Al-Werfalli was released and had been returned to Benghazi safely.