A political uproar ensues in Italy as PM Meloni claims investigation is politically motivated.
Italy's Prime Minister Faces Investigation Over Libyan War Criminal's Release
Italy's Prime Minister Faces Investigation Over Libyan War Criminal's Release
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is under scrutiny after the release of a Libyan war crimes suspect amid calls for accountability.
In a surprising development, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that she is under judicial investigation regarding the controversial release of a Libyan citizen wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Italian leader expressed her concerns in a video message circulated on social media, stating that prosecutors suspect her of embezzlement and assisting in criminal activity.
The individual at the center of this controversy, Osama Najim—also known as Almasri—serves as the chief of Libya's judicial police and oversees a notorious detention facility in Mitiga, near Tripoli. Najim was arrested in Italy on January 21 but was released shortly thereafter due to a “legal technicality,” a decision announced by the interior ministry.
The ICC expressed its displeasure over Italy’s actions, highlighting that the Italian authorities had not consulted them prior to Najim's release. Following this, the court promptly issued a new arrest warrant for him, seeking clarification from Italian officials regarding the situation. Meloni explained that the appeals court released Najim citing the absence of an ICC warrant directed to the Italian justice ministry. To prevent his continued presence in Italy, she stated they opted for his immediate expulsion back to Libya on a special flight.
The release of Najim encountered significant backlash from both opposition politicians and NGOs such as Amnesty International, which criticized him for "horrific violations" in Libya. Social media exploded with reactions, particularly to videos showing a jubilant reception for Najim upon his return to Tripoli.
Meloni revealed that Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, and cabinet undersecretary for intelligence Alfredo Mantovano are also facing investigation. She emphasized that being under investigation does not automatically lead to formal charges in Italy.
In a bold response, Meloni suggested that there could be political motives behind the investigation, particularly pointing out that the lawyer who filed the complaint has ties to left-wing politics. Concluding her remarks, Meloni insisted she cannot be "blackmailed or intimidated" and reaffirmed her dedication to protecting Italian citizens, especially concerning national security.
Criticism from opposition figures like Matteo Renzi of Italy Alive emerged, suggesting that Meloni was leveraging the investigation as a means of promoting her own narrative. As the leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy party, Meloni has prioritized stringent immigration policies and has collaborated with Libyan authorities to combat illegal migration, a stance that has garnered both support and significant criticism throughout her tenure.
The individual at the center of this controversy, Osama Najim—also known as Almasri—serves as the chief of Libya's judicial police and oversees a notorious detention facility in Mitiga, near Tripoli. Najim was arrested in Italy on January 21 but was released shortly thereafter due to a “legal technicality,” a decision announced by the interior ministry.
The ICC expressed its displeasure over Italy’s actions, highlighting that the Italian authorities had not consulted them prior to Najim's release. Following this, the court promptly issued a new arrest warrant for him, seeking clarification from Italian officials regarding the situation. Meloni explained that the appeals court released Najim citing the absence of an ICC warrant directed to the Italian justice ministry. To prevent his continued presence in Italy, she stated they opted for his immediate expulsion back to Libya on a special flight.
The release of Najim encountered significant backlash from both opposition politicians and NGOs such as Amnesty International, which criticized him for "horrific violations" in Libya. Social media exploded with reactions, particularly to videos showing a jubilant reception for Najim upon his return to Tripoli.
Meloni revealed that Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, and cabinet undersecretary for intelligence Alfredo Mantovano are also facing investigation. She emphasized that being under investigation does not automatically lead to formal charges in Italy.
In a bold response, Meloni suggested that there could be political motives behind the investigation, particularly pointing out that the lawyer who filed the complaint has ties to left-wing politics. Concluding her remarks, Meloni insisted she cannot be "blackmailed or intimidated" and reaffirmed her dedication to protecting Italian citizens, especially concerning national security.
Criticism from opposition figures like Matteo Renzi of Italy Alive emerged, suggesting that Meloni was leveraging the investigation as a means of promoting her own narrative. As the leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy party, Meloni has prioritized stringent immigration policies and has collaborated with Libyan authorities to combat illegal migration, a stance that has garnered both support and significant criticism throughout her tenure.
