Italian PM Meloni under investigation for releasing Libyan war crimes suspect

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has revealed she is under investigation by Italian prosecutors for her role in the release of Osama Elmasry Njeem, a Libyan police officer wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC), the BBC reports.

The ICC accuses Njeem, who oversaw several prisons in and around Tripoli, of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including rape, murder, and torture. These alleged crimes reportedly occurred in Libya from 2015 onwards. Many of the victims are believed to be migrants, Reuters reports.

Njeem was reportedly in Italy to attend a soccer match when he was apprehended by Italian officials last week following the ICC’s arrest warrant. 

He was later released on a technicality and sent back to Tripoli on a government plane. 

Rights groups responded with outrage and the ICC is reportedly demanding an explanation from Italy regarding his release.

In a video message posted Tuesday on her social media, Meloni defended the decision, stating that the ICC’s arrest warrant had not been officially transmitted to Italy’s justice ministry, rendering the detention unlawful. She also cited security concerns as a reason for his return to Libya.

Meloni further dismissed the investigation, led by Rome’s chief prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi, as politically motivated.

“I cannot be blackmailed,” she declared. “I will not be intimidated.”

Reports indicate Meloni is under scrutiny for alleged embezzlement and aiding and abetting a crime. Critics suggest her actions may have been an attempt to maintain favorable relations with Libyan authorities, given Italy’s reliance on Libya to control migrant flows to Europe.