“Bija,” celebrated in the streets of Zawiya after his release from prison in April 2021. He had been arrested by Libyan authorities six months earlier for human and fuel trafficking. (Photo published on X by Italian journalist Francesca Mannocchi)
In the passenger seat of a white 4x4, slumped to the left with blood covering his arm and neck, lay the body of Abdelrahman Milad. Several bullet holes dotted the shattered window, still hanging with shards of glass.On Aug. 31, one of Libya’s most notorious human traffickers was gunned down in broad daylight in a suburb of Tripoli, near the Janzour Naval Academy where he worked as a commander. Abdelrahman, better known by his nickname “Bija,” had built a criminal empire trafficking migrants to Europe and smuggling fuel, while also serving as a Libyan coast guard officer. This double life earned him millions of dollars and a reputation for cruelty.Accused of sinking migrant boats to avoid detection by international authorities, Bija left behind a two-year-old son. “Al-Bija is gone and we are only sad that he wasn’t held accountable for...
In the passenger seat of a white 4x4, slumped to the left with blood covering his arm and neck, lay the body of Abdelrahman Milad. Several bullet holes dotted the shattered window, still hanging with shards of glass.On Aug. 31, one of Libya’s most notorious human traffickers was gunned down in broad daylight in a suburb of Tripoli, near the Janzour Naval Academy where he worked as a commander. Abdelrahman, better known by his nickname “Bija,” had built a criminal empire trafficking migrants to Europe and smuggling fuel, while also serving as a Libyan coast guard officer. This double life earned him millions of dollars and a reputation for cruelty.Accused of sinking migrant boats to avoid detection by international authorities, Bija left behind a two-year-old son. “Al-Bija is gone and we are only sad that he wasn’t held...