Italy releases Libyan warlord over security concerns

Hannah Bond

Hannah Bond

A Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been sent back to Libya by Italy over security concerns, Italy’s interior minister told lawmakers on January 23rd in the government’s first official comment following its decision to repatriate the warlord rather than hand him over to face charges, The Associated Press reported.

The Libyan warlord Ossama Anjiem, who is also referred to as Ossama al-Masri, was flown on a government plane back to the Libyan city of Tripoli, where he was greeted with celebration. He had been arrested over the weekend in Turin after going to a soccer match.

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Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi defended his decision to deport Al-Masri from opposition lawmakers during a Senate session, stating it was “for urgent security reasons, with my expulsion order, in view of the danger posed by the subject.”

Senators urged Italian politician Giorgia Meloni to respond to lawmakers’ questions in an open session after criticising Italy for ignoring its obligations to the criminal court by failing to turn in suspects of crime.

The International Criminal Court warrant has accused Al-Masri of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the Mitiga prison in Libya from 2015, which are punishable by a life sentence. Additionally, the ICC said the warlord has been accused of murder, torture, rape and sexual violence.

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The warrant for Al-Masri was given to member states, including Italy, on January 18th, The ICC said. The court said that it had reminded Italy at the time to reach out to it “without delay” if it had come across any issues in cooperating with the warrant, after the court had given real-time information that Al-Masri had gone into Europe.

Human rights organisations have documented flagrant abuses in Libyan detention facilities where migrants are held, and have alleged that Italy has been complicit in the facilities’ maltreatment of migrants.

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The Associated Press

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