Osama Almasri Najim, a Libyan war crimes suspect, was freed by Italy after errors in his ICC arrest warrant. Interior Minister Piantedosi termed him a national security risk, while opposition leaders criticized the government’s actions. Survivors of torture at Mitiga prison condemned Italy’s complicity in the release, leading to calls for ending the migration agreement with Libya.
The Italian Justice Minister, Carlo Nordio, has announced that Osama Almasri Najim, a Libyan war crimes suspect, was released due to significant errors in the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant. Detained in Turin on January 19, Najim was quickly released two days later and returned to Tripoli on an Italian military aircraft, despite facing serious allegations including murder and torture related to his position at Tripoli’s Mitiga detention center.
The release has spurred backlash from opposition parties and non-governmental organizations, with Nordio admitting to “inaccuracies, omissions, discrepancies, and contradictory conclusions” in the warrant, which made it impossible to lawfully detain Najim. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi categorized Najim as a “national security risk” upon expulsion, while images of celebrations upon Najim’s return in Libya circulated widely in Italian media.
Elly Schlein, leader of the Democratic Party, accused Nordio of acting in defense of a suspect who is alleged to be a torturer rather than fulfilling his role as a government minister. Furthermore, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revealed that she, Nordio, and Piantedosi are under investigation in relation to Najim’s release, with a special court poised to oversee the case involving ministers.
An alleged victim, David Yambio, has described the trauma he endured in Mitiga prison, claiming Najim abused migrants there. He expressed his perception of Italy as complicit in the atrocities occurring in Libya, stating, “The injustice we suffered…is clear. They took justice away from us.” Critics argue that Italy’s decision to release Najim may stem from its strategic political and business ties with Libya, particularly concerning migration policies.
Despite Italy’s obligations as an ICC signatory, the government’s actions have drawn scrutiny, especially given its historical agreements with Libya to control migration flows into Italy. The case has captured significant media attention, but analysts remain skeptical that the investigation will lead to substantial consequences for the governing officials, largely due to the government’s solid parliamentary majority.
Meloni has dismissed the investigation as a politically motivated attack, asserting that she will not be intimidated. Commentators note that Libya’s influence over Rome underscores Italy’s vulnerability regarding migration issues. Former interior minister Marco Minniti emphasized that national security extends beyond Italy’s borders, suggesting that this is a critical matter for Italy’s overall security.
For survivors like Yambio, Najim’s release embodies a profound betrayal, prompting them to call for an end to the Italy-Libya migration agreement and for the release of individuals still detained in Libyan camps. “We are witnesses of so many crimes that Mr. Najim is responsible for,” Yambio affirmatively stated.
The release of Libyan war crimes suspect Osama Almasri Najim due to errors in the ICC warrant has provoked significant outrage within Italy. The incident highlights complex relations between Italy and Libya, particularly regarding migration. Critics view this as a failure of justice and a compromise in Italy’s moral stance, given its obligations under international law and the plight of migrants in Libya.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
