Libyan Court Sentences 17 Former IS Members to Death

According to the announcement, individuals found guilty of taking part in the murder of 53 persons in the western city of Sabratha and the damage of public property received the death penalty. 16 other militants received prison sentences, including two life sentences. When the punishments would be executed was not made clear by the court.

After years of civil strife, Libya is still divided between two opposing governments. Governmental institutions and services have declined, and there is a sizable amount of lawlessness as a result of the division between authorities in eastern and the capital city of Tripoli.

After longstanding leader Moammar Gadhafi was overthrown and later killed in the 2011 revolt, Islamic radicals widened their influence in Libya. In 2016, IS was forced out of Sirte, its primary stronghold along the coast, and withdrew interior. Other areas where the militants are still active include western Sabratha, which is close to the country's border with Tunisia.

As part of its campaign to destroy the Islamic State, the United States launched an airstrike on an IS training facility close to Sabratha in February 2016, which resulted in the deaths of at least 40 persons.