Italy's justice minister has staunchly defended the government's controversial move to repatriate a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The minister argued that the ICC had mishandled the case by issuing a flawed and contradictory arrest warrant against Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The Italian government faced criticism from various quarters after releasing al-Masri from prison on Jan. 21 and sending him back to Libya on an Italian military aircraft. Al-Masri, who heads the Tripoli branch of a detention center network, was arrested in Turin on the ICC warrant on Jan. 19.
The ICC warrant accused al-Masri of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in a Libyan prison starting in 2015. However, the warrant was later revised to correct errors related to the timespan of the alleged crimes, which the justice minister highlighted as a significant flaw.
Human rights groups condemned Italy's repatriation of al-Masri as a violation of its obligations as an ICC member state. Opposition lawmakers demanded accountability from the government, with some accusing the government of succumbing to pressure from Libyan militias to prevent migrant boat departures.
Italian officials denied receiving threats related to al-Masri's arrest and emphasized that national security concerns played a role in the decision. The government's handling of the case has sparked a broader debate on the judiciary's role and political influences in legal matters.
While the government faces scrutiny over the repatriation, it continues to defend its actions as necessary for safeguarding national security interests. The ongoing investigation into government officials for alleged favoritism towards irregular migration underscores the complexity and sensitivity of the case.
