Italy faces backlash over repatriation of wanted Libyan police chief

Italy’s government defended its decision to release Osama Najim, a Libyan police chief wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes, citing legal and security concerns, according to AFP. Najim, accused of overseeing abuses at Tripoli's Mitiga detention centre, was arrested in Turin but returned to Libya Tuesday after a Rome court ruled his detention was "irregular."

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi told parliament that Najim was deported due to his “dangerousness” after the court found his arrest did not comply with Italian law. Opposition parties and human rights groups criticized the release, with the ICC rebuking Italy for failing to consult the court.

Najim’s release follows renewed Rome-Tripoli flights and underscores Italy’s controversial 2017 deal with Libya to curb migration, despite widespread allegations of abuse in Libyan detention centres. Critics have demanded Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni address the affair, calling it a “shameful” breach of justice.