Russia stops UN blacklisting of notorious pro-Haftar Libya militia

The asset freeze and travel ban on Libya's al-Kaniyat militia and its leader Mohammed al-Kani were proposed to the council's 15-member Libya sanctions committee by the US and Germany.

"Under Mohammed al-Kani’s leadership, the al-Kaniyat militia has reportedly carried out enforced disappearances, torture, and killings. In addition, UNSMIL verified numerous summary executions at Tarhouna Prison conducted by the al-Kaniyat militia on September 13, 2019," the proposal read.

The move – which can only go ahead if a consensus is reached – was blocked by Russia, according to Reuters. 

"Our support in the future is possible, but conditioned by provision of an irrefutable evidence of their involvement in killing of civilian populations," Reuters cited a Russian diplomat as saying in a note to his Security Council colleagues.

Read also: Libyan government forces find mass graves, possible evidence of war crimes, in Tarhuna

The proposal was made after mass graves were discovered in the city of Tarhuna after the internationally recognised Government of National Accord reclaimed it in June from the Kaniyat militia –which fought alongside renegade commander Khalifa Haftar.

The victims included women and children – some were buried alive, according to forensic reports.