Italy's leaders under fire over war crime suspect's release
Publish date: 03 February 2025
Issue Number: 1111
Diary: IBA Legalbrief Africa
Category: Criminal
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is being investigated by Italian prosecutors for her alleged role in aiding and abetting the release last week of a Libyan official wanted on war crimes charges. The case focused on Italy’s arrest and quick release of Osama Elmasry Njeem, the director of several Libyan prisons known for their inhumane conditions, notes The New York Times. Last week, the Italian police arrested Njeem in a Turin hotel room after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an international warrant. Njeem was wanted in connection with crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence. Shortly after he was arrested, Njeem was released for what the Italian authorities called a procedural issue. He was then taken back to Libya on a government plane. His release set off an outcry by human rights groups and opposition leaders, who accused Meloni of cosying up to the Libyan authorities because Italy relied on Libya to keep migrants from Italian shores. The ICC also objected, issuing a statement recalling ‘the duty of all States Parties to co-operate fully with the court in its investigations and prosecutions of crimes.’ It said it had asked the Italian authorities to clarify their actions. Meloni said in a video posted on social media that Njeem had been released because the ICC’s arrest warrant had not been transmitted to the Italian Justice Ministry, making the arrest invalid. Meloni said Njeem had then been expelled and taken back to Libya because of security reasons. ‘I cannot be blackmailed,’ she said. ‘I will not let myself be intimidated.’ Meloni said Rome’s Chief Prosecutor, Francesco Lo Voi, was also investigating Italy’s Justice Minister, Carlo Nordio; Italy’s Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi; and the interior under secretary, Alfredo Mantovano.