The infamous people smuggler, who was pivotal in facilitating the movement of thousands of asylum seekers to Europe and significantly contributing to the migrant crisis, has been assassinated in Libya. The assassination is currently under investigation.
Abdel-Rahman Milad, a notorious people smuggler who played a significant role in Europe’s migrant crisis, has been assassinated near Tripoli, Libya. The assassination occurred in Sayyad, about 15 miles west of the capital, where Milad was once a prominent figure in the coastguard. Local media reported the discovery of a bullet-riddled white Toyota Land Cruiser with a man’s body inside, identifying him as Milad, although further details are yet to be confirmed.
Abdel-Rahman Milad, 34, was a notorious smuggler involved in trafficking both people and fuel. Interpol issued a red notice for him in 2018 following UN Security Council sanctions, which targeted him and other leaders of migrant trafficking networks in Libya. Milad was identified as the head of a coast guard unit in Zawiya, known for its involvement in violence against migrants and rival smugglers.
UN experts had previously accused Abdel-Rahman Milad and his coast guard unit of directly causing the sinking of migrant boats using firearms. Despite being arrested in October 2020, he was quickly released and later appointed head of the coastguard responsible for combating illegal migration.
Following his assassination, Libya’s Presidential Council member Abdallah Allafi vowed that those responsible would face “divine punishment.” The Tripoli-based government led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has yet to comment, while militia leader Moammar Dhawi has called for an investigation into the killing.
Libya has experienced ongoing instability and corruption since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising against Moammar Gadhafi. The country remains divided between rival administrations and armed groups, making it a critical transit point for migrants from Africa and the Middle East attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea.
