ROME — Italy has repatriated a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing security issues as the reason for not extraditing him. This announcement came from Italy’s interior minister during a Senate session, following the controversial return of the warlord, Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, two days after his arrest in Turin. He had been attending a soccer match when he was taken into custody and was flown back to Tripoli, where he was greeted with celebration.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi addressed concerns from members of the opposition during the Senate meeting. He explained that al-Masri was repatriated “for urgent security reasons” due to the threats he posed, but refrained from providing further details, mentioning he would elaborate in a separate address to lawmakers scheduled for the following week.
The decision has drawn criticism from senators who argued that Italy failed to meet its commitments to the ICC, which operates out of the Netherlands. They called for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to respond directly to their inquiries in a public forum.
The ICC has placed charges against al-Masri for war crimes and crimes against humanity tied to incidents occurring in Mitiga prison, Libya, starting from 2015. The accusations include murder, torture, and sexual violence, all of which carry severe penalties, including a potential life sentence.
Recently, the ICC notified its member states, including Italy, about the outstanding warrant for al-Masri. It had warned that immediate communication was essential if there were issues complying with the warrant, particularly as it had received real-time updates that he had entered Europe.
However, complications arose when Rome’s court of appeals ordered al-Masri’s release, citing procedural missteps in the arrest process. The court ruled that Justice Minister Carlo Nordio should have been consulted prior to the arrest, as his ministry is responsible for coordinating with the ICC. When lawmakers sought clarification from Nordio, he did not respond to their inquiries.
Italy maintains a strategic partnership with the recognized government in Tripoli, relying on it to secure its coastal areas and to manage the flow of migrants attempting to leave the country. A prosecution of al-Masri in The Hague could query Italy’s stringent migration policies and its backing of the Libyan coast guard, which has been financed to mitigate migrant departures.
Concerns have been raised by human rights organizations about serious abuses within Libyan detention centers, where many migrants are held. These groups have accused Italy of complicity in these violations, highlighting the broader implications of its diplomatic and operational ties with Libya.
