The U.S. Department of State said Friday it barred former Libyan Judicial Police official Osema Almasri Habeesh Najeem and his wife, Aml Faraj Mohamed Makhluf, from entering the country over prison abuse allegations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the designation falls under Section 7031(c) of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. Rubio tied Najeem to allegations of torture and other abuse involving detainees at Mitiga and al Jadida prisons.
Rubio also cited alleged murder and forced labor, and said Najeem had targeted Christians and people in other minority groups. The designation applies to Najeem's family members as well; Makhluf was named with him, and the department said those family members are barred from U.S. entry.
