ROME:
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Thursday asserted that an investigation into her role in the release of a Libyan war crime suspect was politically motivated, sparking intense debate.
Earlier this week, Meloni revealed that she and two senior ministers were under investigation over the release of Osama Almasri Najim, the head of Libya’s judicial police, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Najim faces serious charges, including murder, rape, and torture linked to his role at Mitiga Prison in Libya.
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The case has already ignited a major political controversy in Italy, with opposition parties demanding clarity on how a man facing such grave charges was allowed to be freed.
Meloni appeared to reference a notification she received regarding a complaint forwarded by a Rome prosecutor to a special court that handles cases against ministers. There is legal uncertainty about whether the prosecutor was required to pass the complaint, filed by a lawyer, or whether it could have been dismissed. However, Meloni emphasized on Thursday that referring the case to the court was “clearly a deliberate act,” noting that prosecutors in such matters typically have discretion.
Speaking via videolink at an event in Milan, Meloni expressed concern that the investigation had harmed Italy’s reputation on the international stage.
