Wed Jan 29 21:33:09 IST 2025: ## Italian PM Meloni Under Investigation for Release of ICC-Wanted Libyan Officer

**Rome, Italy** – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is under investigation following the controversial release of Osama Elmasry Njeem, a Libyan brigadier general wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Njeem, who allegedly oversaw Tripoli prisons and was involved with the Special Deterrence Force, was arrested in Turin on January 19th after the ICC issued an arrest warrant. However, he was released the following day on what officials described as procedural grounds related to a failure to properly inform the justice ministry. Critics allege the release was politically motivated, suggesting the government, reliant on Libyan cooperation to curb migrant flows, avoided antagonizing Libyan authorities. The government denies this.

The release prompted a complaint from a Rome lawyer, Luigi Li Gotti, who filed a request for an investigation into possible favouritism and misuse of public funds for using a government jet to return Njeem to Libya. The complaint names Meloni, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, and Alfredo Mantovano, the undersecretary for intelligence, although it provided no specific evidence of wrongdoing.

Rome prosecutors, obliged to investigate such complaints unless demonstrably unfounded, have forwarded the case to the Court of Ministers. This specialized court will have 90 days to investigate, potentially questioning ministers and reviewing state documents. The court can dismiss the case, or recommend further investigation, leading potentially to a trial requiring parliamentary approval. Given Meloni’s strong parliamentary majority, the outcome remains uncertain, but the investigation casts a shadow over her government. The government maintains that the release was justified and accuses the prosecutor of political maneuvering.

Read More