Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced that she is under judicial investigation following Italy’s unexpected decision to release a Libyan citizen sought by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes.
In a video message disseminated on social media on Tuesday, Meloni revealed that prosecutors suspect her of embezzlement and complicity in a crime.
Osama Najim, commonly referred to as Almasri, holds the position of head of Libya’s judicial police and serves as the director of a notorious detention facility located in Mitiga, close to Tripoli.
Mr. Najim was apprehended in Italy on January 21. He was unexpectedly released just days later, as reported by the interior ministry, citing a legal technicality as the reason for his freedom.
The ICC, stating it had not been consulted, promptly released an additional arrest warrant for Mr. Najim and requested clarification from the Italian authorities.
In a recent video statement, Meloni revealed that the Rome appeals court decided to release Mr. Najim due to the absence of the ICC warrant being forwarded to the Italian justice ministry.
“In that moment, to prevent him from remaining free within Italian borders, we opted for his expulsion and immediate repatriation via a special flight,” Meloni stated.
In a statement last week, Justice Minister Carlo Nordio announced the expulsion of Mr. Najim, citing the “danger” he allegedly posed. This remark has since faced criticism from opposition members.
The release of Mr. Najim has drawn significant backlash from opposition groups and organizations like Amnesty International, which condemned him for “horrific violations committed with total impunity.”
The arrival of Mr. Najim in Tripoli, captured in videos depicting a jubilant crowd greeting him as he disembarked from an Italian government plane, sparked significant controversy.
Meloni announced that Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, and cabinet undersecretary for intelligence matters Alfredo Mantovano are now under investigation. Being placed under investigation in Italy does not guarantee that formal charges will be brought forth.
The Italian Prime Minister suggested potential political motivations behind the ongoing investigation, adopting a tone of defiance.
She highlighted that the lawyer behind the complaint, Luigi Li Gotti, has a background as a former left-wing politician. Meanwhile, the prosecutor in charge of the case, Francesco Lo Voi, has recently conducted an investigation into Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini regarding an unrelated issue.
In concluding remarks, Meloni asserted that she would not succumb to “blackmail or intimidation.”
“This could explain my unpopularity with individuals who resist change and progress in Italy,” she stated. “This is exactly why I plan to forge ahead, safeguarding Italians, particularly when the safety of the nation is in jeopardy, with confidence and without fear.”
Matteo Renzi, a prominent figure in the opposition party Italy Alive (IV), was quick to criticize the release of Mr. Najim. He accused Prime Minister Meloni of “exploiting” the ongoing investigation to bolster what he described as her “usual victim complex.”
Since 2022, Giorgia Meloni has been at the helm of Italy’s right-wing coalition, representing the far-right, anti-migrant Brothers of Italy party.
She has consistently promised to take decisive action against immigration, committing to halting boats making their way to Italy from North Africa. Her declarations emphasize a determination to eliminate illegal departures and combat human trafficking.
Meloni, following in the footsteps of previous leaders, has engaged with Libyan authorities and militias, offering financial and technical assistance through contentious agreements aimed at addressing illegal immigration. This includes training and funding for the Libyan Coast Guard, which intercepts migrant boats.
