Giorgia Meloni’s government is facing increasing pressure to provide an explanation after a court in Rome opted not to approve the arrest of Libyan General Osama Najim, also known as Almasri. Najim, accused of committing war crimes, was freed despite a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The decision raised suspicions about Italy’s motivations, particularly amid concerns over its ongoing migrant agreement with Libya.
Najim, who is the head of Libya’s judicial police and presides over Mitiga prison in Tripoli, was detained in Turin on Sunday following a warrant from the ICC. The ICC had accused him of involvement in war crimes, including rape and murder, as well as torture and arbitrary detention of political dissidents, migrants, and refugees in Libya. On Tuesday, however, he was unexpectedly released due to a procedural issue, which Italian authorities later attributed to the lack of coordination with Italy’s justice ministry. As a result, Najim was flown back to Libya, where he received a hero’s welcome.
The release of Najim has raised alarm among human rights organizations, which condemned his return to a country where he has faced no significant judicial repercussions for alleged crimes. His return also sparked outrage among the opposition in Italy, who accused Meloni’s government of making a political decision to avoid international scrutiny. The government’s actions were seen as further complicating Italy’s already controversial relationship with Libya, particularly in relation to the 2017 migrant deal.
The pact between Italy and Libya, which provides funding and support to Libya’s coastguard to curb illegal migration, has long been criticized by human rights groups. Critics argue that the deal pushes migrants back to Libyan detention centers, where they are subjected to brutal conditions. Najim’s role in these centers, particularly in Mitiga, has made him a controversial figure.
Opposition parties, including members of the European Parliament, have called for a full investigation into the handling of Najim’s case. They argue that Italy’s reluctance to extradite him to the ICC signals a worrying complicity in the mistreatment of migrants and human rights abuses in Libya. They also emphasized the need for Italy to uphold its commitment to international justice, especially when it comes to tackling human trafficking.
While Meloni’s government has denied any wrongdoing, the situation continues to cast a shadow over Italy’s political landscape. As the EU continues to confront the migrant crisis, the handling of Najim’s release may become a point of contention in future diplomatic relations.
This episode brings into focus the delicate balance between national interests and international law, particularly for countries like Italy, which are involved in complex political agreements in the Mediterranean region. Whether or not Italy will face long-term consequences for this decision remains to be seen, but the fallout from this case will likely reverberate for some time.
For more on the situation in Libya and Italy’s foreign policy, you can read further on the evolving international response to the crisis here.
