Italy has sparked outrage from human rights groups after releasing a Libyan warlord accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity on a technicality. The warlord, Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, was arrested in Turin on a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing him of atrocities committed in the Mitiga prison in Libya starting in 2015.
The ICC issued a statement reminding Italy of its obligation to cooperate fully with its prosecutions. Despite the warrant and real-time information about al-Masri's whereabouts, Italy released him due to a procedural error in his arrest, as ruled by Rome's court of appeals.
Al-Masri, who heads the Tripoli branch of a detention center network, was welcomed back in Libya by supporters celebrating his release. This move has been condemned by human rights organizations, with Amnesty International calling it a 'stunning blow to victims, survivors, and international justice.'
The Italian government's decision has raised questions about its commitment to human rights, especially given its close ties to the Libyan government and its support of the coast guard to prevent migrant departures. Critics have accused Italy of complicity in the mistreatment of migrants in Libyan detention facilities.
While some, like a South Sudanese asylum seeker who suffered abuse at the hands of al-Masri, feel betrayed by Italy's actions, others, like a Libyan activist, see it as a demonstration of the power of militias controlling migrant flows to Europe through Libya.
The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with the ICC and combating impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The release of al-Masri has reignited concerns about the influence of militias in Libya and the ongoing abuses faced by migrants in detention centers.
