Libya’s chief prosecutor has ordered the detention of Mohamed Bahroun, a powerful militia leader, and one of his aides as part of an investigation into the recent killing of Abdel-Rahman Milad, a notorious human trafficker. Bahroun, the commander of the First Support Battalion, surrendered to authorities with his associate after allegations surfaced regarding their involvement in Milad’s death in Tripoli last week.
According to a statement from General Prosecutor al-Sediq al-Sour’s office, both men will remain in custody following initial interrogations that presented evidence linking them to Milad’s killing. The investigation is seen as a significant move in a country where armed groups and militia leaders often wield substantial power and influence.
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Milad, who was sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council for his role in human trafficking, was shot dead on September 1 while driving in the Sayyad area in western Tripoli. He had previously been jailed on charges of trafficking and fuel smuggling but was released after six months.
Both Milad and Bahroun hailed from Zawiya, a western town that became a hotspot for human trafficking and militia activity in the aftermath of Libya’s 2011 NATO-backed uprising that overthrew longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Both men rose to prominence during the ensuing chaos, holding influential positions in Libya’s unstable western region.