Italy Repatriates Libyan Warlord, Sparking Criticism and Concerns

Italy repatriated a Libyan warlord sought by the International Criminal Court (ICC) due to security concerns, according to Italy's interior minister. The minister, Matteo Piantedosi, made the statement to lawmakers during a Senate session.

Piantedosi explained that Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, was flown back to Tripoli on a government plane after being arrested in Turin over the weekend. He said that al-Masri was repatriated "for urgent security reasons, with my expulsion order, in view of the danger posed by the subject."

Senators expressed dismay that Italy had ignored its obligations to the ICC to turn over criminal suspects. They called for Premier Giorgia Meloni to respond to their questions in an open session.

The ICC warrant accused al-Masri of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Mitiga prison in Libya starting in 2015. The court said that the warrant was transmitted to member states on Saturday, including Italy, and that the court had also provided real-time information that he had entered Europe.

Rome's court of appeals ordered al-Masri freed Tuesday, and he was sent back to Libya aboard an aircraft of the Italian secret services. The ruling said that Justice Minister Carlo Nordio should have been informed ahead of time, since the justice ministry handles all relations with the ICC.

Italy has close ties to the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, on whom it relies to patrol its coasts and prevent waves of migrants from leaving. Any trial in The Hague of al-Masri could bring unwanted attention to Italy's migration policies and its support of the Libyan coast guard, which it has financed to prevent migrants from leaving.

Human rights groups have documented gross abuses in the Libyan detention facilities where migrants are kept, and have accused Italy of being complicit in their mistreatment.