The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is under investigation for her role in the unexpected release of a Libyan citizen sought for war crimes, prompting heated debate around immigration policies and judicial processes.
Italy's PM Faces Scrutiny Over Libyan War Criminal's Release
Italy's PM Faces Scrutiny Over Libyan War Criminal's Release
Investigations launched following controversial expulsion of justice official wanted for international crimes
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is currently under judicial investigation for her involvement in the controversial release of Osama Najim, also known as Almasri, a Libyan national wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes. Meloni announced the investigation via a video message shared on social media, where she described the allegations against her, including embezzlement and aiding a criminal act.
Najim, who leads Libya's judicial police and manages a notorious detention facility near Tripoli, was arrested in Italy on January 21. His swift release days later was attributed to a legal technicality, as the Italian interior ministry stated that the ICC warrant had not been properly communicated to its justice ministry. Following this incident, the ICC issued a new arrest warrant and sought clarification from the Italian government regarding the circumstances of Najim's release.
In her video message, Meloni explained that the Rome appeals court freed Najim because the ICC's request was not adequately received. To prevent his return to Libya while remaining in Italy, the government opted for his immediate expulsion on a charter flight, a decision that has drawn significant criticism. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio characterized Najim's expulsion as necessary due to the "danger" he represented, prompting pushback from opposition parties and human rights organizations like Amnesty International, who condemned the release as an endorsement of Najim's purported omissions of severe human rights violations.
The backlash intensified as images circulated of Najim being welcomed in Tripoli by a crowd celebrating his return. Meloni also disclosed that not only she but also Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, and intelligence cabinet undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano were under investigation—a signal that the issue reached further into her administration.
In her defense, Meloni suggested that the investigation had political motivations, highlighting that the lawyer who filed the complaint, Luigi Li Gotti, is a former left-wing politician, while the leading prosecutor has previously investigated Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini. She declared her unyielding commitment to her duties, asserting that she would not be intimidated by these proceedings: “This may be why I'm unpopular among those who don't want Italy to change and improve,” she stated, reinforcing her focus on national security and immigration reform.
Matteo Renzi, from the opposition party Italy Alive, criticized Meloni's claims of victimization, accusing her of using the investigation to deflect responsibility for the controversial decision. Meloni, leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy, has consistently advocated for a tougher stance on immigration, including financial aid and support to Libyan entities to control illegal migration through the Mediterranean.
Najim, who leads Libya's judicial police and manages a notorious detention facility near Tripoli, was arrested in Italy on January 21. His swift release days later was attributed to a legal technicality, as the Italian interior ministry stated that the ICC warrant had not been properly communicated to its justice ministry. Following this incident, the ICC issued a new arrest warrant and sought clarification from the Italian government regarding the circumstances of Najim's release.
In her video message, Meloni explained that the Rome appeals court freed Najim because the ICC's request was not adequately received. To prevent his return to Libya while remaining in Italy, the government opted for his immediate expulsion on a charter flight, a decision that has drawn significant criticism. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio characterized Najim's expulsion as necessary due to the "danger" he represented, prompting pushback from opposition parties and human rights organizations like Amnesty International, who condemned the release as an endorsement of Najim's purported omissions of severe human rights violations.
The backlash intensified as images circulated of Najim being welcomed in Tripoli by a crowd celebrating his return. Meloni also disclosed that not only she but also Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, and intelligence cabinet undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano were under investigation—a signal that the issue reached further into her administration.
In her defense, Meloni suggested that the investigation had political motivations, highlighting that the lawyer who filed the complaint, Luigi Li Gotti, is a former left-wing politician, while the leading prosecutor has previously investigated Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini. She declared her unyielding commitment to her duties, asserting that she would not be intimidated by these proceedings: “This may be why I'm unpopular among those who don't want Italy to change and improve,” she stated, reinforcing her focus on national security and immigration reform.
Matteo Renzi, from the opposition party Italy Alive, criticized Meloni's claims of victimization, accusing her of using the investigation to deflect responsibility for the controversial decision. Meloni, leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy, has consistently advocated for a tougher stance on immigration, including financial aid and support to Libyan entities to control illegal migration through the Mediterranean.
