Italy Faces Backlash After Release of War Crimes Suspect Najeem

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government is facing significant backlash after the release of Osama Najeem, the head of Libya's criminal investigation department, who was wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on war crimes charges. Najeem was detained in Turin following an Interpol alert but was released due to a procedural technicality, leading to accusations of hypocrisy from opposition parties and human rights organizations. Critics argue that while Meloni's administration claims to combat human trafficking, the release of Najeem contradicts this stance, especially given his role in overseeing brutal conditions in detention centers. The ICC expressed disappointment over not being consulted prior to Najeem's release, which occurred shortly before he was flown back to Libya where he was welcomed as a hero. Calls for accountability and explanations have intensified, with former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi highlighting the government's failure to uphold international law. The incident raises serious concerns about Italy's commitment to justice and its migrant policies, particularly its cooperation with the Libyan government to curb migration across the Mediterranean.