Libya’s chief prosecutor has ordered the detention of Mohamed Bahroun, leader of the First Support Battalion, and an associate, in connection with the killing of notorious human trafficker Abdel-Rahman Milad. Bahroun turned himself in following allegations of his involvement in Milad’s death.
Human Trafficker, Milad, also known as “Bija,” was killed on 1 September in Tripoli while being chauffeured. As a prominent figure in Libya’s coastguard, Milad was accused by the UN of sinking migrant boats and participating in human trafficking operations. He was sanctioned by the UN Security Council and had previously served time for human trafficking and fuel smuggling.
Bahroun and his associate are currently in custody while prosecutors continue their investigation. Milad gained power amidst the post-2011 turmoil following the NATO-backed overthrow and murder of Muammar Gaddafi. He turned Zawiya into a major hub for smuggling and trafficking. Despite his denials, Milad was linked to severe human rights abuses in Libyan detention centres, where migrants faced extortion and imprisonment.
The detention of Bahroun is a rare legal action against a militia leader in Libya, where armed groups often exert significant influence. The case has garnered international attention, particularly from European nations such as Italy, which have been directly affected by Libya’s human trafficking networks.