Italy's Meloni probed over release of alleged Libyan warlord
January 28, 2025
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is under investigation over the release of a suspected Libyan warlord, she announced on Tuesday.
Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, was detained in Turin earlier this month under an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity.
Al-Masri ran a detention center near Tripoli and has been accused of being complicit in murder, rape and torture.
Last week, he was freed on a technicality and flown home on an Italian state aircraft.
The ICC said it was not consulted over the decision and has demanded an explanation from Italian authorities.
What did Meloni say?
In a post on social media on Tuesday, Meloni said she was investigation for allegedly aiding and abetting a crime and misusing public funds.
"I will not be blackmailed, I will not allow myself to be intimidated, which may be why I am, let's say, disliked by those who do not want Italy to change and become better," she said in a video posted to Facebook.
She added that Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and the cabinet undersecretary for intelligence, Alfredo Mantovano, were also under investigation.
zc/wmr (Reuters, AP)