Today marks the seventh anniversary of the Al-Ruwaimi prison massacre, which is one of the most heinous incidents in Libya during its last decade.
In June 2016, twelve former detainees, who had been granted a “release under supervision” order by the Libyan Supreme Court, were brutally shot and killed by militant militias.
The victims had been held at the Al-Baraka prison, commonly known as Al-Ruwaimi, located in Tripoli.
The extent of the brutality extended beyond the act of murder. The perpetrators went so far as to burn the victims’ corpses and discard them in various locations throughout Tripoli, compounding the profound tragedy.
Regrettably, despite its awareness of the massacre and its perpetrators, the former Libyan Government of National Unity did not take necessary action to bring the culprits to justice. To date, no charges have been filed against those responsible for this heinous act.
As the anniversary of the Al-Ruwaimi massacre is observed, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for justice and accountability in Libya.
The memory of the twelve victims lives on, and their families and the nation continue to seek closure and an end to the culture of impunity that surrounds such atrocities.