{"id":9026,"date":"2026-06-29T17:34:07","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T15:34:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/?p=9026"},"modified":"2026-06-29T17:34:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T15:34:10","slug":"annex-3-the-judicial-trajectory-of-the-abu-salim-prison-massacre-case-before-libyan-courts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/en\/annex-3-the-judicial-trajectory-of-the-abu-salim-prison-massacre-case-before-libyan-courts\/","title":{"rendered":"Annex (3): The Judicial Trajectory of the Abu Salim Prison Massacre Case Before Libyan Courts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td>Ref: PRS 2026\/06\/1058<\/td><td>June 29, 2026<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Annex (3): The Judicial Trajectory of the Abu Salim Prison Massacre Case Before Libyan Courts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>From 19 September 2011 to 14 June 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Case Background and Procedural History<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the morning of&nbsp;<strong>29 June 1996<\/strong>, soldiers and security personnel under the command of&nbsp;<strong>Abdullah al\u2011Senussi<\/strong>, head of the Military Intelligence Agency, carried out a mass killing of approximately&nbsp;<strong>1,200 prisoners<\/strong>&nbsp;who were being held without trial in the central facility of Abu Salim Prison in Tripoli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On&nbsp;<strong>19 September 2011<\/strong>, Mr.&nbsp;<strong>Zuheir Salem Saeed<\/strong>&nbsp;filed a formal complaint with the Office of the Public Prosecutor regarding the mass killing. On&nbsp;<strong>1 October 2011<\/strong>, the Public Prosecution initiated an official investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Public Prosecution prepared a memorandum of legal opinion and disposition, charging&nbsp;<strong>264 defendants<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The case was formally registered against\u00a0<strong>172 defendants<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>while action was deferred regarding\u00a0<strong>92 others<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>86 defendants<\/strong>\u00a0were referred to trial,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>79 appeared<\/strong>\u00a0before the court,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2 failed to appear<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and\u00a0<strong>5 defendants died<\/strong>\u00a0during the proceedings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The prosecution submitted the case file to the&nbsp;<strong>Indictment Chamber<\/strong>, requesting referral of the case and the defendants to the Criminal Court in accordance with the indictment and the list of evidence. On&nbsp;<strong>15 June 2017<\/strong>, the Indictment Chamber ordered the referral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;<strong>Tripoli Court of Appeal<\/strong>&nbsp;scheduled the first hearing for&nbsp;<strong>2 August 2017<\/strong>&nbsp;before the Eleventh Criminal Chamber. However, the chamber recused itself without explanation, and the case was reassigned to the&nbsp;<strong>Ninth Criminal Chamber<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u201381Q), 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 \u201creport regularly\u201d to the court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first hearing was held on&nbsp;<strong>5 August 2018<\/strong>. After ten sessions, the tenth held on&nbsp;<strong>4 August 2019,<\/strong>&nbsp;the court scheduled judgment for&nbsp;<strong>15 December 2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On&nbsp;<strong>15 December 2019<\/strong>, the Ninth Criminal Chamber ruled that the crime had&nbsp;<strong>lapsed due to the expiration of the statutory limitation period<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On&nbsp;<strong>17 December 2019<\/strong>, a member of the Public Prosecution filed an appeal before the Supreme Court. Families of the victims also filed an appeal on&nbsp;<strong>5 February 2020<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On&nbsp;<strong>2 May 2021<\/strong>, the Second Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court ruled:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Accepting the prosecution\u2019s appeal procedurally<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quashing the contested judgment<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Returning the case to the Tripoli Court of Appeal, Criminal Chamber, to be heard by a new panel<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rejecting the appeal filed by the victims\u2019 families for lack of legal standing<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On&nbsp;<strong>15 June 2022<\/strong>, the First Criminal Chamber of the Tripoli Court of Appeal ruled that it&nbsp;<strong>lacked jurisdiction<\/strong>, referring the case to the&nbsp;<strong>Military Judiciary<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On&nbsp;<strong>16 June 2022<\/strong>, the prosecution appealed the ruling. On&nbsp;<strong>3 March 2023<\/strong>, the Fourth Chamber of the Supreme Court ruled:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Accepting the appeal procedurally<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quashing the contested judgment<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Returning the case to the Tripoli Court of Appeal to be reheard by a new panel<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hearings Before the Second Criminal Chamber of the Tripoli Court of Appeal<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(As documented by the Abu Salim Prison Massacre Victims\u2019 Families Association)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>29 February 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Supreme Court held a session to consider Appeal No. (1578\/69 \u2013 Judicial) concerning the Abu Salim massacre, which claimed 1,269 victims. After deliberation, judgment was scheduled for&nbsp;<strong>3 March 2024<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3 March 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>26 June 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First hearing. The session had not been publicly announced, so families of the victims did not attend. The hearing was postponed to&nbsp;<strong>2 August 2024<\/strong>&nbsp;due to the absence of the defendants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2 August 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Second hearing. Some families attended. Defendants&nbsp;<strong>Wajdi al\u2011Thabet<\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Abdelqader al\u2011Tawerghi<\/strong>&nbsp;appeared. The hearing was postponed to&nbsp;<strong>8 September 2024<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8 September 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Third hearing. The court ordered the arrest of&nbsp;<strong>83 absent defendants<\/strong>, and continued the detention of&nbsp;<strong>three defendants<\/strong>. Postponed to&nbsp;<strong>3 November 2024<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3 November 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fourth hearing. The court reaffirmed its order to re\u2011arrest all defendants previously released. Postponed to&nbsp;<strong>1 December 2024<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1 December 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hearing postponed to&nbsp;<strong>12 January 2025<\/strong>&nbsp;at the request of the defense. Arrest warrants renewed for&nbsp;<strong>79 defendants<\/strong>, and detention continued for&nbsp;<strong>four others<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Abdullah al\u2011Senussi<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mansour Dhao<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Abdelqader al\u2011Taher al\u2011Hadi<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Majdi Milad al\u2011Shwaerif<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>12 January 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hearing postponed to&nbsp;<strong>9 February 2025<\/strong>. Continued detention. Al\u2011Senussi and Mansour Dhao absent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>13 January 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Statement issued by the Victims\u2019 Families Association condemning attempts to release al\u2011Senussi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9 February 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sixth hearing. Al\u2011Senussi and Dhao appeared via video link. Postponed to&nbsp;<strong>13 April 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>13 April 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Postponed to&nbsp;<strong>19 May 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>22 April 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The trial of former regime officials in the 17 February Revolution suppression case postponed to\u00a0<strong>13 May 2025<\/strong>\u00a0due to the absence of a judge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Al\u2011Senussi\u2019s lawyer stated that his client required medical treatment abroad.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>19 May 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Postponed to&nbsp;<strong>20 July 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>20 July 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Postponed to&nbsp;<strong>21 September 2025<\/strong>. The Association described the repeated delays as part of a persistent pattern of obstruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>21 September 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Postponed to&nbsp;<strong>7 December 2025<\/strong>. Continued detention. Al\u2011Senussi and Dhao absent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>12 November 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Victims\u2019 Families Association issued a strong statement condemning any attempt to release al\u2011Senussi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7 December 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Postponed to&nbsp;<strong>4 January 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4 January 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another postponement without progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Postponed to&nbsp;<strong>8 February 2026<\/strong>. Al\u2011Senussi and Dhao appeared via video link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8 February 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thirteenth hearing. Postponed to&nbsp;<strong>8 March 2026<\/strong>. Continued detention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8 March 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fourteenth hearing. Postponed to&nbsp;<strong>12 April 2026<\/strong>. Al\u2011Senussi and Dhao absent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>12 April 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fifteenth hearing. Postponed to&nbsp;<strong>10 May 2026<\/strong>. Al\u2011Senussi and Dhao appeared via video link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10 May 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sixteenth hearing. Postponed to&nbsp;<strong>14 June 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>18 May 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a separate case (No. 630\/2014) concerning the suppression of the 17 February Revolution, the Thirteenth Criminal Chamber acquitted&nbsp;<strong>32 defendants<\/strong>, including&nbsp;<strong>Abdullah al\u2011Senussi<\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Mansour Dhao<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>14 June 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Seventeenth hearing. Postponed to&nbsp;<strong>19 July 2026<\/strong>. Al\u2011Senussi and Dhao appeared via video link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Abu Salim Prison Massacre&nbsp;<\/em><em>Victims\u2019 Families<\/em>&nbsp;<em>Association<\/em>&nbsp;(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=100064670800563\">link<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Human Rights Solidarity Organization<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tripoli, Libya<\/strong><br><strong>June 29, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LHRS-PRS-2026-06-1058-EN-Annex-03_page-0001.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"9027\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LHRS-PRS-2026-06-1058-EN-Annex-03_page-0001-724x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9027 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 724px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 724\/1024;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LHRS-PRS-2026-06-1058-EN-Annex-03_page-0002.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"9029\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LHRS-PRS-2026-06-1058-EN-Annex-03_page-0002-724x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9029 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 724px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 724\/1024;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LHRS-PRS-2026-06-1058-EN-Annex-03_page-0003.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"9030\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LHRS-PRS-2026-06-1058-EN-Annex-03_page-0003-724x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9030 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 724px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 724\/1024;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LHRS-PRS-2026-06-1058-EN-Annex-03_page-0004.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"9028\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LHRS-PRS-2026-06-1058-EN-Annex-03_page-0004-724x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9028 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 724px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 724\/1024;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LHRS-PRS-2026-06-1058-EN-Annex-03_page-0005.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"9031\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LHRS-PRS-2026-06-1058-EN-Annex-03_page-0005-724x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9031 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 724px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 724\/1024;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ref: PRS 2026\/06\/1058June 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&nbsp;29 June 1996, soldiers and security personnel under the command of&nbsp;Abdullah al\u2011Senussi, head of the Military Intelligence Agency, carried &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,32,31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9026","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-library","category-press-release","category-reports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9026","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9026"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9026\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9032,"href":"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9026\/revisions\/9032"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9026"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9026"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hrsly.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}