Italy's premier says she is under investigation for release of Libyan wanted by ICC

Meloni says she is accused by Italian prosecutors of embezzlement, aiding and abetting in connection with Osama al-Masri case

By Giada Zampano

ROME (AA) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday she had been placed under investigation by Italian prosecutors over the release of a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Osama Elmasry Njeem, also known as Osama al-Masri, was released last week after being shortly detained in Italy under an arrest warrant issued by the ICC for crimes against humanity.

Meloni said in a message posted on social media that she is accused by prosecutors of embezzlement and aiding and abetting in connection with the al-Masri case.

Under Italian law, being placed under investigation does not imply guilt and doesn’t necessarily lead to formal charges.

"I will not be blackmailed, I will not allow myself to be intimidated, which is why I am disliked by those who do not want Italy to change and become better," Meloni said in a video posted on Facebook after announcing the investigation.

Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and State Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano have also been placed under investigation in the same case, Meloni added.

The repatriation of al-Masri to Libya, a key partner in Europe’s efforts to stop migrants from crossing the Mediterranean and reaching European shores, sparked outrage from human rights groups and protests from Italy’s opposition parties.

Meloni said her government will ask the ICC to clarify why it took months to issue the arrest warrant and why it was issued only after al-Masri traveled through at least three European countries.

Meloni also stressed that al-Masri was released by an order of Rome’s court of appeal and not following the Italian government’s choice.

Al-Masri was sent to Libya aboard an aircraft of the Italian secret services.

Meloni said Italy’s government decided to expel him immediately for security reasons and, as it happens in similar cases involving dangerous prisoners, didn’t use a regular flight, also for passengers’ safety.

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