Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar must respond to war crimes allegations in US courts

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Today marks the deadline given to Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar by which he must respond to a civil dispute in the

Photo: Reuters

Today marks the deadline given to Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar in which he must respond to a civil dispute in the United States or face a default.

In three separate trials, a district court in Alexandria, Virginia, brought war crimes charges against the head of the Libyan National Army, who opposed the UN-recognized government in the bloody war civil status of the country. The plaintiffs have alleged that Haftar is responsible for extrajudicial killings and torture and seek to recover approximately $ 50 million in damages on assets in Virginia owned by Haftar, who has dual citizenship in the United States.

Although Haftar claims his status as head of state grants him legal immunity, a U.S. district judge dismissed the claim earlier this month, foreshadowing a decision that will likely go against the general. While it is not clear whether Haftar himself will respond directly, his defense will likely focus on the difficulty of attributing responsibility for the atrocities committed during the civil war and claiming that the alleged victims were armed fighters. A guilty verdict is unlikely to undermine efforts to form a new administration in Libya, as the UN has maintained the inclusion of Haftars in the negotiations as a crucial figure influencing opposing armed groups to the government supported by the West.

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