Key facts
- At least 30 men have been executed in eastern Libya since late August after secret military trials.
- Amnesty International stated that the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF) resumed executions on August 23.
- Some individuals were convicted of murder and terrorism-related offenses linked to fighting between 2014 and 2018.
- Detainees claimed torture to obtain confessions used as evidence.
- Authorities reportedly prevented some families from burying the executed.
- The UN Support Mission in Libya urged an immediate halt to further executions.
At least 30 men have been executed in eastern Libya since late August following secret military trials, with at least 50 others at imminent risk of execution, according to local media and rights groups. Amnesty International reported that the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF), led by eastern commander Khalifa Haftar, resumed executions on August 23, marking the first time since 2010. The rights group stated that those executed were convicted after "grossly unfair and secretive trials" marred by torture. Some convictions were linked to murder and terrorism offenses from fighting between 2014 and 2018. Detainees claimed they were tortured to extract confessions used as evidence. Amnesty called for a halt to all executions, a moratorium on the death penalty, and retrials in civilian courts adhering to international standards. Human rights defenders also reported that authorities prevented some families from burying the executed, keeping the bodies for their own burial. The executions began about two weeks after LAAF military intelligence chief Major General Fawzi al-Mansouri was killed in a car bomb attack. The Libya Al-Ahrar television channel reported further executions and condemnation from the UN and Tripoli authorities. The UN Support Mission in Libya stated on September 17 that over 30 people had been executed recently and urged an immediate halt, noting the end of a de facto 15-year moratorium on the death penalty. Amnesty detailed that military courts in eastern Libya violated defendants' rights, including access to lawyers and public hearings, and that military prosecutors and judges are not independent due to affiliations with the LAAF. A 2017 law granting military courts jurisdiction over civilians accused of terrorism in military areas was later declared unconstitutional. The executions occur amid UN-led efforts to unify Libya and prepare for elections, with the country divided between the internationally recognized government in the west and Haftar-allied administration in the east and south.