Italian PM under investigation over release of Libyan officer wanted by ICC

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on January 28 that she has been placed under judicial investigation following her government's controversial decision to release Osama Elmasry Njeem, a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Njeem, a brigadier general in Libya's Judicial Police, was arrested in the northern Italian city of Turin under an ICC warrant for alleged crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and rape. However, just days later, he was released and flown back to Libya on an Italian state aircraft. The ICC, which was not consulted, has since demanded an explanation.

In a video statement posted on social media, Meloni confirmed that Rome’s chief prosecutor, Francesco Le Voi, had placed her under investigation for allegedly aiding and abetting a crime and misusing public funds, Caliber.Az reports, citing Reuters.

"I will not be blackmailed, I will not allow myself to be intimidated, which may be why I am, let's say, disliked by those who do not want Italy to change and become better," she said.

The probe also includes Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, and cabinet undersecretary for intelligence matters, Alfredo Mantovano. The investigation was reportedly triggered by Luigi Li Gotti, a lawyer who filed a complaint regarding both Njeem's release and the use of an official jet to transport him to Tripoli.

"What I did was a necessary act. I did it as a matter of dignity both for human rights and for all Italian citizens," Li Gotti told Reuters.

While Interior Minister Piantedosi told parliament last week that Njeem had been repatriated for "reasons of state security," opposition leaders have dismissed the explanation. Both Piantedosi and Nordio are scheduled to address parliament on Wednesday to provide further details.

The case has strained Italy's relations with the ICC, but when asked about the investigation, ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah declined to comment on national judicial proceedings.

Meloni defended her government's decision, pointing out that Njeem had travelled to three European countries in a 12-day span before arriving in Italy, at which point the ICC issued its request for his arrest. Her government relies heavily on Libyan security forces to curb migrant departures from North Africa to Italy.

Meloni also noted that the same prosecutor leading the case had previously investigated Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini over his 2019 decision to block a migrant boat at sea for nearly three weeks. Salvini was acquitted last month.

Supporters of Meloni swiftly accused the judiciary of political bias, alleging that the probe is part of a broader campaign against the government’s planned judicial reforms. "We are faced with yet another example of politicised justice that aims to attack the Meloni government," said Lucio Malan, head of Meloni's Brothers of Italy party in the Senate.

By Tamilla Hasanova