Secretary of State Marco Rubio has designated a former Libyan official as well as the official's wife for significant corruption and the torture of detainees.
The Libyan police official, Osema Almasri Habeesh Najeem, as well as his wife were designated for "gross violations of human rights, namely the torture and cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment of detainees in the Mitiga and al Jadida prisons," per the State Department.
Today I am designating former Libyan judicial police official Osema Almasri Habeesh Najeem for his role in the torture and cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment of detainees. The Trump Administration will not tolerate violence and abuse against Christians or members of other…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) October 30, 2026
Rubio said of the designation, "Today I am designating former Libyan judicial police official Osema Almasri Habeesh Najeem for his role in the torture and cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment of detainees. The Trump Administration will not tolerate violence and abuse against Christians or members of other religious minority groups."
Rubio designated Najeem under Section 7031(c), which authorizes the "Secretary or his designee to designate individuals, including current and former foreign officials, and their immediate family members, who have been involved, directly or indirectly, in significant corruption."
Najeem was detained in Libya in 2025, months after he was arrested in Italy on war crimes charges. He and his wife will now be banned from entering the US under the designation from Rubio and the State Department.
Osema Almasri Habeesh Najeem committed gross violations of human rights, including the persecution of Christians. Today, the U.S. government is taking action. https://t.co/Aw3TeMh1em
— Assistant Secretary Riley Barnes (@StateDRL) October 30, 2026
Assistant Secretary at the State Department Riley Barnes said in a post to X, "Osema Almasri Habeesh Najeem committed gross violations of human rights, including the persecution of Christians. Today, the U.S. government is taking action."
Thomas Stevenson
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