According to reporting by Middle East Eye, a minimum of thirty men were put to death in the eastern part of Libya after being convicted in undisclosed military courts run by the national armed forces. The executions mark the first instance of capital punishment carried out by these courts since 2010.

The individuals sentenced to death were tried in closed sessions that did not allow public or legal oversight, a practice that has drawn criticism from rights organisations. The killings were carried out under the authority of the Libyan Armed Forces, which are currently commanded by Khalifa Haftar, a figure who has led the self‑styled "Libyan National Army" in the ongoing conflict that has divided the country since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi.

Ahmed Benchemsi, a researcher with Human Rights Watch, told Middle East Eye correspondent Mathilda Mallinson that the ability to conduct the executions now stems from a lack of accountability for actors operating in the region. He noted that both regional powers and foreign governments with vested interests in Libya's rival factions have, in effect, created an environment where such actions can proceed without significant scrutiny.

The analyst highlighted that the absence of robust monitoring mechanisms and the reluctance of international bodies to enforce legal standards have contributed to a permissive atmosphere. This situation, he argued, enables military leaders to employ secret judicial processes and impose the death penalty without facing immediate repercussions.

The developments come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize Libya, which have been hampered by competing interests from neighboring states and external powers. Observers warn that the lack of transparent judicial procedures could undermine peace negotiations and fuel further cycles of violence.

Human Rights Watch and other NGOs have called for independent investigations into the executions and for the establishment of mechanisms that ensure due process and accountability for all parties involved in Libya's protracted conflict.

Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/libyas-secret-executions-why-now.