In the Siyad area west of Janzur, in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, an operation targeted and eliminated Abdel Rahman Milad, also known as “Al-Bidja,” internationally pursued for human trafficking and illegal immigration crimes. “Al-Bidja” is considered one of the most dangerous human traffickers internationally in Libya, known for his role in smuggling operations to Europe. He had been sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council after being convicted of these crimes.
Originally starting as an officer in the Libyan Coast Guard, “the smuggling emperor” — as he is nicknamed in Libya — turned into one of the country’s most dangerous smugglers, internationally wanted for human trafficking crimes. Over the past years, during the period of militia control over most parts of western Libya, “Al-Bidja” committed numerous violations against migrants and was involved in sinking their boats at sea as well as oil smuggling operations.
Abdel Rahman Milad led a criminal gang active in the Zawiya area northwest of Tripoli. He exploited his appointment as the commander of the Maritime Academy to facilitate his crimes related to human trafficking and oil smuggling out of Libya, and violations against illegal migrants. At the beginning of 2021, Libyan authorities arrested him and charged him with smuggling and human trafficking crimes, but released him just four months after his arrest in Tripoli. His promotion during his detention period sparked outrage among the Libyan people.
In the past two years, the authorities of the Government of National Unity allowed Al-Bidja to appear in some military and political forums and supervise the entrance exams for new students at the Maritime Academy, in his capacity as the camp commander. He also appeared on several occasions accompanying members and the president of the Libyan Presidential Council.
