From 19 to 21 May, the International Criminal Court (ICC) held a confirmation of charges hearing in the case of Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, marking a significant step in accountability efforts related to the war in Libya. El Hishri is the first suspect to appear before the ICC in connection with the Libya situation since the Court opened its investigation in 2011. A former senior official of Libya's Special Deterrence Force (RADA), he faces 17 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed at the Mitiga Prison in Tripoli between 2014 and 2020, including torture, murder, rape, sexual violence, unlawful imprisonment, enslavement and persecution. Following the hearing, the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber has up to 60 days to confirm the charges or request additional evidence.

Update: On 16 July, the Pre-Trial Chamber unanimously confirmed all charges, paving the way for the commencement of the trial.

Sources: International Criminal Court, The Guardian, Human Rights Watch (1), Human Rights Watch (2), Reuters

On 11 April, Libya’s two rival administrations approved the country’s first unified national budget in more than a decade. The agreement marks a tentative step toward restoring a unified public financial management system across the east and western-administered areas after years of institutional fragmentation. If implemented, the budget—covering public sector salaries, government operations, development projects, and subsidies—could enhance the predictability of resource allocation, strengthen central public administration, and reduce the parallel spending practices that have characterized the governance system since the 2014 fragmentation of state institutions.

Sources: Al Jazeera, United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Libya Herald

In June, more than 80 bodies were discovered at multiple official and unofficial detention sites operated by a militia in Tripoli. The remains were uncovered after the militia lost territorial control over these sites following clashes between rival armed groups in May. According to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, investigators also found instruments of torture and abuse near the victims, as well as evidence that may point to extrajudicial killings. The militia in question had reportedly been tasked with stopping migrants from reaching Europe. As a result, observers have suggested that many of the victims may be migrants.

Sources: United Nations, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, Info Migrants

On 13 May, heavy fighting broke out in Tripoli between rival armed groups associated with different parts of the Government of National Unity (GNU), one of Libya’s two competing administrations. The clashes started after a leader of an armed group was killed, escalating tensions between the different armed groups. At least eight civilians were killed during the clashes, which took place in residential areas and involved heavy weapons. A ceasefire was reached the next day. On 16 May, thousands of people began protesting against the GNU, calling for the dismantling of armed militias that have become entrenched in the state. Demonstrations continued weekly throughout the month, and amid mounting public pressure, three cabinet ministers resigned.

Sources: Middle East Eye, Reuters, Libya Observer, Arab News, Human Rights Watch, Libya Review, New Lines Magazine

On 12 May, the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) accepted the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) jurisdiction over crimes committed in Libya between 2011 and 2027. This move took place under Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute, which allows non-member states to accept the Court’s authority for specific cases or periods, and transforms Libya’s cooperation with the ICC from a United Nations Security Council mandate (stemming from a 2011 referral of the Libyan situation), into a direct legal obligation under the Rome Statute. The declaration obligates Libya to surrender suspects, share evidence, support investigations, and protect victims and witnesses, enabling prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, these obligations have yet to translate into practice, as cooperation to date is limited and key suspects have not been surrendered.

Sources: International Criminal Court, Libya Crimes Watch, The Libya Observer, The New Arab, International Commission of Jurists