The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a significant step toward accountability in Libya’s prolonged conflict by unsealing the arrest warrant for Saif Suleiman Sneidel, a militia officer accused of serious war crimes. Originally issued on November 10, 2020, but kept under seal to maximize arrest opportunities and protect investigations, the warrant’s unsealing in August 2025 signals intensified efforts by the ICC to facilitate international cooperation for Sneidel’s arrest.
Sneidel, a member of Group 50 of the Al-Saiqa Brigade, played a leadership role in the so-called “Operation Dignity” in Benghazi during the Second Libyan Civil War. He is charged with murder, torture, and “outrages upon personal dignity” committed in Benghazi and its surroundings from before June 3, 2016, until about July 17, 2017. These crimes notably include the execution of 23 people during three separate incidents.
The Context of ICC Jurisdiction: Libya and the UN Security Council Referral
Libya is not a party to the Rome Statute, but in 2011, the United Nations Security Council referred the situation in Libya to the ICC through Resolution 1970. This referral empowered the ICC to investigate and prosecute crimes occurring in the context of the Libyan civil conflict, including systematic human rights violations, war crimes, and violence against civilians.
Since then, the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor has pursued justice across multiple lines, including the 2011 violence, crimes committed in detention facilities, military operations from 2014 to 2020 (under which Sneidel’s group falls), and abuses against migrants. The Sneidel case is part of these sustained efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.
Serious War Crimes and Leadership Role in Conflict
The ICC’s allegations against Sneidel are grave and extensive. The Chamber found “reasonable grounds to believe” he participated in three executions where 23 people were murdered. Additionally, Sneidel is accused of acts of torture and degrading treatment. The Prosecution links him closely to the late Mahmoud Mustafa Busayf Al-Werfalli, another ICC suspect with multiple arrest warrants for executions in Benghazi. Their leadership roles in the Al-Saiqa Brigade during some of the conflict’s most violent phases underscore the accountability the ICC seeks to impose on commanders, not just foot soldiers.
Advocating for Global Cooperation: ICC’s Statements and Calls to Action
The unsealing of the warrant was welcomed by the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor. Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan stressed the strategic importance of this move by stating, “The judges’ decision to unseal the warrant improves chances of arrest. The Court can now discuss issues related to possible arrest with States, the UN Security Council, and the international community at large, fostering support and cooperation. We hope to create the momentum for Mr Sneidel’s arrest and surrender”.
This statement highlights how the ICC aims to leverage international diplomatic and law enforcement mechanisms to enforce the warrant effectively. It reflects the Court’s recognition that arresting such suspects requires collaborative global efforts, especially in fragile and divided environments like Libya.
The ICC also calls on Libyan authorities to execute the arrest warrant in alignment with UNSC Resolution 1970, reaffirming the necessity for local cooperation despite Libya’s complicated political landscape.
Broader ICC Efforts in Libya: Addressing Multiple Cases and Arrests
Sneidel’s case is one among several ICC arrest warrants related to Libya currently pending enforcement. For instance, Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri was arrested in Germany in July 2025 under an ICC warrant for crimes committed in detention facilities, demonstrating tangible progress in enforcement outside Libya.
Conversely, the case of Osama Elmasry Njeem, another militia member arrested in Italy under ICC warrants earlier in 2025 but controversially returned to Libya, highlights challenges to international justice efforts. The UN Security Council criticized Italy’s decision to repatriate Njeem, indicating the sensitivity and complexity of ensuring suspects face trial rather than being shielded by political or administrative decisions.
These cases vividly illustrate the ongoing struggle between the ICC’s legal mandates and geopolitical realities, particularly in a fragmented Libya where state institutions’ capacity to enforce warrants is limited.
Significance and Challenges of ICC’s Enforcement in Libya
The unsealing of Sneidel’s warrant marks a renewed momentum in the ICC’s campaign against impunity in Libya. It seeks to confirm that no leader, no matter their rank or faction, is above international law. The connection between Sneidel and the notorious Al-Werfalli, who was subject to multiple warrants before his death, underscores that the ICC targets those believed responsible for some of the worst atrocities during Libya’s civil wars.
Nonetheless, the challenges remain daunting. Libya’s ongoing instability, divided authorities, and presence of multiple armed groups complicate arrests. The ICC’s reliance on national authorities and international cooperation is critical, yet unpredictable.
ICC Deputy Prosecutor Khan expressed gratitude toward victims and witnesses, acknowledging that, “Our Office remains deeply committed to deliver accountability for victims of atrocities in Libya. Results of our work are because of and for them. With their commitment, and with the cooperation and support of all partners, we can make inroads in fighting impunity in Libya and across all situations”. This underlines the Court’s victim-centered approach and the importance of sustained cooperation.
The Broader International and Regional Dynamics
The ICC’s pursuit of suspects like Sneidel is part of a wider international effort to stabilize Libya and provide justice for victims. The Security Council referral in 2011 was a landmark moment, signaling global determination to address war crimes in Libya despite the absence of Libya as a Rome Statute party.
Supporting arrest warrants serves not only legal justice but also broader peace and reconciliation efforts, as accountability helps deter future violations. However, enforcement must balance geopolitical realities, including Libya’s fractured governance and influence from regional powers.
This makes the ICC’s engagement with States, the Security Council, and international partners pivotal for translating arrest warrants into actual arrests and trials.
