Libyan police chief arrested in Italy

Italian police arrested Osama Najim, the head of Libya’s judicial police and director of the Mitiga detention centre in Tripoli, on January 19th in Turin.

According to The New Arab and agencies, Najim, who is also known as “Almasri,” was arrested on an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC), as reported by media.

Nello Scavo, a journalist for Avvenire daily, broke the news and said on social media: “We can confirm from dedicated sources that on the mandate of the International Criminal Court for war crimes, the head of the Libyan judicial police was arrested in Turin.”

READ:  US: House votes to pass bill to sanction ICC over Israel

La Republica daily said that Almasri was detained at a hotel after a tip from Interpol. The newspaper said that, according to a Turin Prosecutor, he had been in Turin with other Libyan nationals. The case will now be referred to the Court of Appeals in Rome for examination.

The migrant rescue organisation Mediterranea Saving Humans welcomed the arrest, saying it followed “years of complaints and testimonies from victims”. The group added: “Almasri is proof of how the entire Libyan system, supported in recent years by millions of euros from Italian governments and the European Union, is atrocious and criminal.”

READ:  BRICS signs off new members in bid to counter US sanctions

Libyan detention centres have long faced criticism from international human rights groups for their violence, torture, and abuse.

READ: Libya : Footage shows new evidence of torture in Garnada prison

UN demands investigation over torture footage at Libyan prison

Rome’s 2017 agreement with Libya was renewed under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government. The deal provides financial aid and training for the Libyan coastguard. In return, Libya would help to deter the surge of migrants attempting to reach Italy or send those at sea back to Libya, in which they are often brought to detention centres.

READ:  Hamas confirms death of Mohammed Deif

Italian prosecutors were not immediately available to provide confirmation for the reports. Interpol did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The New Arab and agencies

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

[mc4wp_form id="206"]