Italian opposition parties, NGOs demand answers over release of Libyan official wanted for war crimes

Italian opposition parties, NGOs demand answers over release of Libyan official wanted for war crimes

Opposition parties and NGOs are calling for an explanation from the Italian Government after Rome released Osama Najim, the head of Libya’s judicial Police, who had been arrested on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Najim, also known as Almasri, is the director of the notorious Mitiga detention Centre near Tripoli, which Amnesty International has described as a site of “horrific violations committed with total impunity.”

Osama Najim was released due to a legal technicality, according to Italian media reports quoting Interior ministry sources. On Wednesday (January 22) evening, the ICC confirmed that he had been freed “without prior notice or consultation with the Court” and issued a new arrest warrant for him. Najim had been arrested on Saturday in Turin while attending a Juventus-Milan football match and was flown back to Libya on Tuesday night on an Italian government flight. Local media shared images of a jubilant crowd welcoming him with cheers and fireworks.

The release has sparked outrage from Italian opposition parties, which have demanded an explanation. Matteo Renzi, former prime minister and leader of a centrist opposition party, called on justice minister Carlo Nordio to account for his decision before parliament. Arturo Scotto of the Democratic Party (PD) criticized the release, calling Najim a “Libyan mafia boss,” and emphasized that Italy, as an ICC signatory, is obligated to uphold international treaties. Two NGOs working with migrants, Mediterranea Saving Humans and Refugees in Libya, expressed their shock, stating that Najim’s release reflected poorly on those who had “protected and freed a criminal.”

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