Annex (3): The Judicial Trajectory of the Abu Salim Prison Massacre Case Before Libyan Courts
| Ref: PRS 2026/06/1058 | June 29, 2026 |
Annex (3): The Judicial Trajectory of the Abu Salim Prison Massacre Case Before Libyan Courts
From 19 September 2011 to 14 June 2026
- Case Background and Procedural History
On the morning of 29 June 1996, soldiers and security personnel under the command of Abdullah al‑Senussi, head of the Military Intelligence Agency, carried out a mass killing of approximately 1,200 prisoners who were being held without trial in the central facility of Abu Salim Prison in Tripoli.
On 19 September 2011, Mr. Zuheir Salem Saeed filed a formal complaint with the Office of the Public Prosecutor regarding the mass killing. On 1 October 2011, the Public Prosecution initiated an official investigation.
The Public Prosecution prepared a memorandum of legal opinion and disposition, charging 264 defendants.
- The case was formally registered against 172 defendants,
- while action was deferred regarding 92 others.
- 86 defendants were referred to trial,
- 79 appeared before the court,
- 2 failed to appear,
- and 5 defendants died during the proceedings.
The prosecution submitted the case file to the Indictment Chamber, requesting referral of the case and the defendants to the Criminal Court in accordance with the indictment and the list of evidence. On 15 June 2017, the Indictment Chamber ordered the referral.
The Tripoli Court of Appeal scheduled the first hearing for 2 August 2017 before the Eleventh Criminal Chamber. However, the chamber recused itself without explanation, and the case was reassigned to the Ninth Criminal Chamber.
Upon reviewing the case, the Ninth Chamber ordered the release of a group of defendants. Families of the victims filed a motion to recuse the chamber under Civil Appeal No. (35–81Q), but the President of the Court rejected the request. During the proceedings, the court released a second group of defendants on the condition that they “report regularly” to the court.
The first hearing was held on 5 August 2018. After ten sessions, the tenth held on 4 August 2019, the court scheduled judgment for 15 December 2019.
On 15 December 2019, the Ninth Criminal Chamber ruled that the crime had lapsed due to the expiration of the statutory limitation period.
On 17 December 2019, a member of the Public Prosecution filed an appeal before the Supreme Court. Families of the victims also filed an appeal on 5 February 2020.
On 2 May 2021, the Second Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court ruled:
- Accepting the prosecution’s appeal procedurally,
- Quashing the contested judgment,
- Returning the case to the Tripoli Court of Appeal, Criminal Chamber, to be heard by a new panel,
- Rejecting the appeal filed by the victims’ families for lack of legal standing.
On 15 June 2022, the First Criminal Chamber of the Tripoli Court of Appeal ruled that it lacked jurisdiction, referring the case to the Military Judiciary.
On 16 June 2022, the prosecution appealed the ruling. On 3 March 2023, the Fourth Chamber of the Supreme Court ruled:
- Accepting the appeal procedurally,
- Quashing the contested judgment,
- Returning the case to the Tripoli Court of Appeal to be reheard by a new panel.
- Hearings Before the Second Criminal Chamber of the Tripoli Court of Appeal
(As documented by the Abu Salim Prison Massacre Victims’ Families Association)
2023
29 February 2023
The Supreme Court held a session to consider Appeal No. (1578/69 – Judicial) concerning the Abu Salim massacre, which claimed 1,269 victims. After deliberation, judgment was scheduled for 3 March 2024.
3 March 2023
The Supreme Court annulled the ruling of the Tripoli Court of Appeal declaring lack of jurisdiction and returned the case to be heard by a new panel.
2024
26 June 2024
First hearing. The session had not been publicly announced, so families of the victims did not attend. The hearing was postponed to 2 August 2024 due to the absence of the defendants.
2 August 2024
Second hearing. Some families attended. Defendants Wajdi al‑Thabet and Abdelqader al‑Tawerghi appeared. The hearing was postponed to 8 September 2024.
8 September 2024
Third hearing. The court ordered the arrest of 83 absent defendants, and continued the detention of three defendants. Postponed to 3 November 2024.
3 November 2024
Fourth hearing. The court reaffirmed its order to re‑arrest all defendants previously released. Postponed to 1 December 2024.
1 December 2024
Hearing postponed to 12 January 2025 at the request of the defense. Arrest warrants renewed for 79 defendants, and detention continued for four others:
- Abdullah al‑Senussi
- Mansour Dhao
- Abdelqader al‑Taher al‑Hadi
- Majdi Milad al‑Shwaerif
2025
12 January 2025
Hearing postponed to 9 February 2025. Continued detention. Al‑Senussi and Mansour Dhao absent.
13 January 2025
Statement issued by the Victims’ Families Association condemning attempts to release al‑Senussi.
9 February 2025
Sixth hearing. Al‑Senussi and Dhao appeared via video link. Postponed to 13 April 2025.
13 April 2025
Postponed to 19 May 2025.
22 April 2025
- The trial of former regime officials in the 17 February Revolution suppression case postponed to 13 May 2025 due to the absence of a judge.
- Al‑Senussi’s lawyer stated that his client required medical treatment abroad.
19 May 2025
Postponed to 20 July 2025.
20 July 2025
Postponed to 21 September 2025. The Association described the repeated delays as part of a persistent pattern of obstruction.
21 September 2025
Postponed to 7 December 2025. Continued detention. Al‑Senussi and Dhao absent.
12 November 2025
The Victims’ Families Association issued a strong statement condemning any attempt to release al‑Senussi.
7 December 2025
Postponed to 4 January 2026.
2026
4 January 2026
Another postponement without progress.
Postponed to 8 February 2026. Al‑Senussi and Dhao appeared via video link.
8 February 2026
Thirteenth hearing. Postponed to 8 March 2026. Continued detention.
8 March 2026
Fourteenth hearing. Postponed to 12 April 2026. Al‑Senussi and Dhao absent.
12 April 2026
Fifteenth hearing. Postponed to 10 May 2026. Al‑Senussi and Dhao appeared via video link.
10 May 2026
Sixteenth hearing. Postponed to 14 June 2026.
18 May 2026
In a separate case (No. 630/2014) concerning the suppression of the 17 February Revolution, the Thirteenth Criminal Chamber acquitted 32 defendants, including Abdullah al‑Senussi and Mansour Dhao.
14 June 2026
Seventeenth hearing. Postponed to 19 July 2026. Al‑Senussi and Dhao appeared via video link.
Source
Abu Salim Prison Massacre Victims’ Families Association (link)
Human Rights Solidarity Organization
Tripoli, Libya
June 29, 2026
