Skip to main content

Libyan Commander Wanted By ICC Released After Protests

Maj. Mahmoud al-Werfalli PHOTO: Aljazeera
A Libyan commander wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over a series of summary executions was released on Thursday, a day after handing himself in to military authorities in eastern Libya, a military source said.
Supporters of the commander, Mahmoud al-Werfalli, had demonstrated in the eastern city of Benghazi late on Wednesday against any legal action being taken against him, closing roads and burning tires.
Some held signs reading “We are all Maj. Mahmoud al-Werfalli”.
Werfalli is a commander in an elite unit attached to the Libyan National Army (LNA), the dominant force in eastern Libya.
It rejects the internationally recognised government in Tripoli and is aligned with a separate government based in the east.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Werfalli in August 2017, accusing him of a role in the summary killings of 33 people between June 2016 and July 2017, as the LNA neared the completion of its campaign to take control of Benghazi.
The ICC’s chief prosecutor reiterated her call for the LNA’s top commander Khalifa Haftar to hand over Werfalli after a video purportedly showed him shooting dead 10 blindfolded prisoners at the site of a car bombing in Benghazi in February.
A military source said Werfalli had returned to Benghazi overnight “after the completion of investigative procedures concerning the case of the International Criminal Court”.
There was no official comment on his release.
By Thursday morning, the protests had subsided and roads in Benghazi had reopened.
LNA leader Haftar is a likely candidate in elections that the UN says it is hoping to hold by the end of the year in an effort to help unify Libya.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ex-NNPC Boss, Andrew Yakubu, seeks to quash money laundering charges

A former Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, is seeking to quash money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as he files a “no-case” submission before Justice A.R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja. In the no-case submission dated November 6th 2018, and filed through his counsel, Anone Usman, Yakubu aked the court to strike out the charges against him, and discharge and acquit him, arguing that “the evidence led by the prosecution’s seven witnesses did not establish a case” against him, necessitating him to defend himself. Recall that a special operation conducted by EFCC operatives on 3rd February, 2017 on a building belonging to Yakubu in Kaduna state, yielded the recovery of a staggering sum of $9,772,800 (Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Seven Two Thousand, Eight Hundred United States Dollars) and another sum of £74,000 (Seventy Four Thousa...
Post a Comment
Read more

Three young men killed by herdsmen on their way to the farm in Benue State, several others injured

Three persons were killed in attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Tiza Village, Tormbo ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State on Thursday. It was gathered that the attackers invaded the village and laid ambushed for the farmers who were on their way to their farms around 8:30a.m., opening fire on them and killing three instantly, while several others sustained various degrees of injuries. A community leader and former aide to former Governor Gabriel Suswam, Chief Joseph Anawah, said the armed herdsmen came in their numbers wielding sophisticated weapons and blocked farm paths, shooting anything on sight. "The Fulani herders’ terrorism has continued to wipe out Benue farmers especially in Logo and Guma Local Government Areas.” He said the herders had shot and killed three persons at Tse Tyogbihi, Tombo ward in Logo LGA near Anyiin on their way to the farm. Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Logo Local Government A...
Post a Comment
Read more

HOME SAFETY TIPS A COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE

In the kitchen, Keep a distance between flammable objects (papers, curtains, plastics, etc.) and fire sources (oven, stove top, portable heater, etc.) Use harmful products (cleaning solutions, lighters) with caution (follow instructions!) and keep them out of reach of children and pets. Never leave sharp objects (knives) or other such tools and utensils misplaced or unattended. Ensure electrical cords aren’t draped across other appliances or the counter or stove top. Leave space around appliances for proper ventilation. In the bathroom, Keep electrical appliances wrapped and away from water. Use non-slip strips or floor mats Always keep the room clean and as dry as possible. In the bedroom, Never smoke. As always, ensure that everything else is a safe distance away from a source of fire or heat. Opt for mattresses with open flame-resistant protection. You’re most vulnerable when you sleep. Even in bed, keep a phone, light, (and, if neces...
Post a Comment
Read more