Outrage in Italy After Libyan Warlord Released Due to Legal Technicality Amid ICC Charges

Outrage in Italy After Libyan Warlord Released Due to Legal Technicality Amid ICC Charges

Human rights groups and opposition lawmakers in Italy have expressed outrage following the release of Libyan warlord Ossama Anjiem (also known as Ossama al-Masri), who was freed due to a legal technicality despite facing war crimes and crimes against humanity charges from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The controversial decision, made on Tuesday, follows the detention of al-Masri, who leads the Tripoli branch of the Reform and Rehabilitation Institution. The institution operates detention centers linked to abuse and war crimes. Al-Masri was arrested on Sunday in Turin, after attending a soccer match between Juventus and Milan, following the ICC’s warrant for his arrest issued on January 18. However, Rome’s Court of Appeals overturned his detention on a procedural error, claiming that Italian Justice Minister Carlo Nordio should have been notified in advance. As a result, al-Masri was flown back to Libya via a plane operated by Italy’s secret service.

Human rights groups have long accused al-Masri of overseeing violent actions at the Mitiga prison in Libya, which have included torture, sexual assault, and other severe abuses, particularly against migrants. Al-Masri’s connection to Libya’s migrant detention system has raised concerns about Italy’s role in funding Libyan forces and their treatment of migrants.

Upon returning to Tripoli on Tuesday evening, al-Masri was met by supporters celebrating his release, with videos showing him lifted onto shoulders in a show of support. This celebration in Libya drew condemnation from groups like Mediterranea Saving Humans, which has been documenting the abuse migrants face in Libyan detention centers.

Italy’s opposition lawmakers, including former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, have called for transparency, criticizing the government’s handling of the case. Renzi accused the right-wing government of hypocrisy, claiming Italy’s actions contradict its stated commitment to fighting human trafficking. The Democratic Party has also demanded that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni address the issue in Parliament.

Italy maintains a close relationship with the internationally recognized Libyan government, which may have influenced the decision to release al-Masri. However, this has raised concerns about Italy’s migration policies, particularly its funding of the Libyan coast guard, which intercepts migrants at sea, and the role of Libyan militias in human rights violations.

Despite these criticisms, the European Commission reiterated that EU member states are committed to working with the ICC, and the ICC prosecutor’s office has yet to comment on the matter.

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Leave a Reply

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