Khaled Al Hishri faces charges of murder, torture and rape at notorious Mitiga prison as ICC proceedings move forward.

A Libyan war crimes suspect accused of overseeing a prison where inmates were routinely tortured and sometimes sexually abused asked judges at the International Criminal Court for his release on Wednesday.

This marks the first ICC appearance by a Libyan suspect since the court began investigating atrocities committed during the country’s civil war in 2011.

The court currently has nine outstanding arrest warrants for Libyan suspects.

Khaled Mohamed Ali Al Hishri, 47, faces charges of crimes against humanity including murder, torture and rape.

Prosecutors allege that thousands of people, including children and women, were held for extended periods in Mitiga prison in western Libya.

“Just requesting my release,” Al Hishri told judges when asked if he had any comments about his arrest. Judges noted that any formal request for release pending trial must be submitted in writing.

CBI News reports that Al Hishri is the first Libyan suspect in ICC custody. He was arrested in Germany in July and transferred to the ICC detention unit on Monday.

A trial is not expected to start until late 2026, with a confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for May 19 next year.

Earlier this year, Italy arrested another Libyan ICC suspect, Osama Elmasry Njeem, who was also accused of crimes at Mitiga prison, but returned him to Tripoli citing errors in the arrest warrant.

His release sparked political controversy in Italy and prompted a legal investigation into Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and other officials, which was later blocked in parliament.