Italian PM Meloni Investigated for War Crimes Suspect Release

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is under investigation for her government's controversial decision to release Osama Almasri Njeem, a Libyan police chief wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes. Meloni faces allegations of aiding and abetting a crime, stemming from a lawsuit filed by an Italian lawyer who claims that Njeem's repatriation would allow him to continue his criminal activities in Libya. In response to the backlash, Meloni asserted that the ICC's arrest warrant was not properly delivered to the Italian Ministry of Justice, justifying the expulsion on security grounds. The investigation has also extended to several other government officials, including the Justice Minister and the Interior Minister. Critics, including human rights organizations, have condemned the decision to release Njeem, citing concerns about his past actions and the implications for international law. Meloni has publicly denied any wrongdoing and dismissed the investigation as politically motivated, reflecting a broader tension between her government and the judiciary.