Libya Will Be Top Priority in 2017, Says ICC

New York, 10 Shafar 1438/10 November 2016  (MINA) – The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) says her office is committed to making Libya a priority next year and expanding investigations, potentially including alleged crimes by Islamic State and their affiliates.

Fatou Bensouda told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that her commitment is based on a number of factors, including widespread violence, lawlessness and impunity in many areas, a desire to provide justice for victims and alleviating the suffering of civilians, The New Arab was quoted by MINA as reporting.

She said her office intends to apply for new arrest warrants “under seal as soon as practicable and hopes to have new arrest warrants served in the near future.”

Bensouda said the ICC also intends to study the feasibility of opening an investigation into alleged criminal acts against refugees and migrants in Libya.

Chaos has engulfed Libya since the 2011 NATO-backed ousting of dictator Muammar Gaddafi. (T/P001/R07)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)