Italian Judges Dismiss Case Against Meloni Over Release of Libyan Suspect
Italian judicial body drops case against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in relation to the release of a Libyan police officer wanted by the ICC.
ROME: An Italian judicial body has dismissed a case against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who was previously under investigation for her role in the release of a Libyan police officer sought by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The case revolved around the alleged facilitation of a crime and misuse of public funds.
Osama Elmasry Njeem, a Libyan police officer, was freed in January and repatriated to Libya aboard an Italian state aircraft shortly after being detained in Turin under an ICC arrest warrant for charges including murder, torture, and rape, as part of the ICC's investigation into crimes committed during Libya's 2011 civil war.
The decision to release him was attributed to errors and inaccuracies within the arrest warrant by Italy's Justice Minister Carlo Nordio.
In a social media statement, Meloni confirmed that while the case against her has been dismissed, legal proceedings will continue for Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, and Cabinet Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, who were also under investigation.
Meloni emphasized her leadership role within the government, stating that all decisions, particularly significant ones, are agreed upon collectively.
Therefore, it was deemed unreasonable to pursue legal action against Piantedosi, Nordio, and Mantovano without also including her in the process.
The ICC's investigation into crimes committed in Libya since its 2011 civil war has been ongoing, initiated by a referral from the UN Security Council.
The case revolved around the alleged facilitation of a crime and misuse of public funds.
Osama Elmasry Njeem, a Libyan police officer, was freed in January and repatriated to Libya aboard an Italian state aircraft shortly after being detained in Turin under an ICC arrest warrant for charges including murder, torture, and rape, as part of the ICC's investigation into crimes committed during Libya's 2011 civil war.
The decision to release him was attributed to errors and inaccuracies within the arrest warrant by Italy's Justice Minister Carlo Nordio.
In a social media statement, Meloni confirmed that while the case against her has been dismissed, legal proceedings will continue for Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, and Cabinet Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, who were also under investigation.
Meloni emphasized her leadership role within the government, stating that all decisions, particularly significant ones, are agreed upon collectively.
Therefore, it was deemed unreasonable to pursue legal action against Piantedosi, Nordio, and Mantovano without also including her in the process.
The ICC's investigation into crimes committed in Libya since its 2011 civil war has been ongoing, initiated by a referral from the UN Security Council.
