Italy PM Meloni under investigation for releasing Libyan warlord wanted by ICC
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and two of her government ministers were placed under investigation Tuesday for allegedly releasing and repatriating a Libyan official wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday said she and two of her ministers were under investigation after a Libyan official wanted by the ICC for war crimes was released and repatriated.
She made the announcement in a video on Facebook and said the probe was politically motivated.
Osama Najim, head of the Libyan judicial police, was detained 10 days ago in a Turin hotel on an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He was released a few days later on procedural grounds by a Rome appeals court, and flown to Libya on an Italian government plane.
Investigative magistrates suspect Meloni and Justice Minister Carlo Nordio and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi facilitated Najim's release.
Meloni has frequently accused magistrates, particularly Rome prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi, of being biased against her government.
Italian judges are obliged to open an investigation following the filing of a complaint, allowing the persons targeted by the probe to hire a lawyer.
Najim is accused by the ICC of having committed crimes in Libya against detainees.
(AFP)
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