One of Libya’s most wanted human traffickers, Abdel-Rahman Milad, was killed on Sunday in Tripoli, according to Libyan officials. Milad, a former coast guard commander in Zawiya and a UN-sanctioned individual, was shot by unknown assailants while in his vehicle in the Sayyad area.
The details surrounding his death remain unclear, and no group has claimed responsibility. Libyan media reported bullet marks on Milad’s white Toyota Land Cruiser.
Libyan officials, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, have not commented on the incident, and the Tripoli-based government has yet to issue a statement.
Milad’s death has sparked calls for an investigation, including from militia leader Moammar Dhawi, who expressed condolences and urged authorities to hold those responsible accountable.
Libya has faced instability and division since the 2011 uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, becoming a major route for migrants from Africa and the Middle East attempting to reach Europe. In June 2018, the UN Security Council imposed sanctions on Milad and other leaders linked to migrant trafficking. Despite his denial of involvement in human smuggling, Milad had previously been jailed on related charges.