Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is currently under investigation following the controversial release and repatriation of Libyan police chief Osama Almasri Njeem, who is subject to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. Prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi initiated this investigation after a lawsuit was filed by Italian lawyer Luigi Li Gotti, citing alleged actions to aid and abet Almasri. Li Gotti expressed that he took legal action to uphold integrity, arguing that Almasri’s return to Libya could enable continued crimes, as reported in his statement.
In addition to Prime Minister Meloni, other high-ranking officials are under scrutiny. Notices have also been sent to the Italian Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio, Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, and Undersecretary of State Alfredo Mantovano. These actions follow the ICC’s arrest warrant issued for Almasri on January 18, 2025, for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes, including imprisonment, murder, torture, outrages upon personal dignity, and sexual violence. The ICC issued this warrant under Articles 7 and 8 of the Rome Statute.
Meloni defended her actions, stating the ICC’s arrest request was not delivered to the Italian Ministry of Justice in time, which prevented the request’s validation. Consequently, she justified Almasri’s repatriation as a measure for the security of Italian citizens, reported JURIST. Furthermore, the National Association of Magistrates (ANM) clarified that the notices issued to Meloni were procedural and not indicative of wrongdoing.
Nevertheless, the ANM has criticized the Ministry of Justice for not pursuing preventive detention for Almasri, highlighting the lapse as a missed opportunity to align with international obligations. Such actions would have adhered to Italy’s commitments under Article 86 of the Rome Statute, demanding cooperation with ICC mandates, as emphasized in ANM’s communication.