Human Rights Watch Reports at Least 31 Executions by Libyan Military Forces
Human Rights Watch reported that the Libyan Arab Armed Forces executed at least 31 people since late August 2026, marking Libya's first known capital punishment cases since 2010.
In Brief
- •Human Rights Watch reported that the Libyan Arab Armed Forces executed at least 31 people since late August 2026, marking Libya's first known capital punishment cases since 2010.
- •The rights group stated that at least 50 additional detainees face imminent execution following closed military trials relying on alleged torture-induced confessions.
- •The executions proceeded despite a November 2025 Supreme Court ruling declaring military jurisdiction over civilian terrorism cases unconstitutional.
- •Many executed individuals were originally detained in Derna and Benghazi during military conflicts between 2014 and 2018.
Why It Matters
The resumption of capital punishment by military courts in eastern and southern Libya represents a significant breakdown in judicial oversight and constitutional adherence. By executing individuals tried in secrecy and overriding a Supreme Court ruling that barred military tribunals from prosecuting civilians, the Libyan Arab Armed Forces set a severe precedent that threatens political dissidents, local critics, and detained civilians.
Key Details
- Reported Executions
- At least 31 people
- Detainees at Imminent Risk
- 50 or more
- Execution Start Date
- Late August 2026
- LAAF Publicly Confirmed Executions
- 10 people by firing squad
- Supreme Court Ruling Date
- November 2025
Context & Background
Libya had not officially carried out recorded capital punishment since 2010 prior to these reported executions. Following armed conflict from 2014 to 2018, military tribunals in eastern Libya convicted hundreds of civilians in closed proceedings, despite a November 2025 Libyan Supreme Court constitutional ruling invalidating military court jurisdiction over civilians.
Original Reporting & Sources
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