Italy's Giorgia Meloni Under Investigation Over Release of Libyan War Crimes Suspect
Prime Minister Meloni faces scrutiny over government decision to release Libyan police officer wanted by the ICC for war crimes.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is under investigation following a controversial government decision to release Osama Elmasry Njeem, a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of war crimes.
Njeem, a brigadier general in Libya’s Judicial Police, is accused of committing crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and sexual violence from 2015 onward.
He allegedly played a key role in overseeing prisons in Tripoli, with many victims believed to be migrants.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Njeem in October 2024, which was granted by judges in January 2025. Njeem was detained in Italy on January 19 while attending a soccer match.
However, just two days later, he was released by the Italian authorities on procedural grounds.
The government justified the release due to a failure to inform the justice ministry during his arrest.
Critics suggest the release may have been influenced by Italy’s reliance on Libyan security forces to curb the flow of migrants, but the government denies these claims.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi explained that Njeem’s release followed a decision by Rome's appeals court, citing procedural errors during his arrest.
A Rome lawyer, Luigi Li Gotti, filed a complaint with local prosecutors, prompting an investigation into the case.
The investigation will review potential favoritism and misuse of public funds, specifically regarding the state plane used to transport Njeem back to Libya.
Prosecutors are currently examining the case, and the Court of Ministers will have 90 days to decide whether the investigation should proceed.
If the case advances, the Italian parliament will vote on whether to allow prosecution.
Supporters of Meloni’s government argue that the investigation is politically motivated, linked to ongoing judicial reforms in Italy.
The case remains under scrutiny as it unfolds.
Njeem, a brigadier general in Libya’s Judicial Police, is accused of committing crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and sexual violence from 2015 onward.
He allegedly played a key role in overseeing prisons in Tripoli, with many victims believed to be migrants.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Njeem in October 2024, which was granted by judges in January 2025. Njeem was detained in Italy on January 19 while attending a soccer match.
However, just two days later, he was released by the Italian authorities on procedural grounds.
The government justified the release due to a failure to inform the justice ministry during his arrest.
Critics suggest the release may have been influenced by Italy’s reliance on Libyan security forces to curb the flow of migrants, but the government denies these claims.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi explained that Njeem’s release followed a decision by Rome's appeals court, citing procedural errors during his arrest.
A Rome lawyer, Luigi Li Gotti, filed a complaint with local prosecutors, prompting an investigation into the case.
The investigation will review potential favoritism and misuse of public funds, specifically regarding the state plane used to transport Njeem back to Libya.
Prosecutors are currently examining the case, and the Court of Ministers will have 90 days to decide whether the investigation should proceed.
If the case advances, the Italian parliament will vote on whether to allow prosecution.
Supporters of Meloni’s government argue that the investigation is politically motivated, linked to ongoing judicial reforms in Italy.
The case remains under scrutiny as it unfolds.
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