Italy faces ICC inquiry for releasing Libyan warlord
- Italian authorities arrested Ossama Anjiem in January 2025 based on an ICC warrant.
- Instead of sending him to The Hague, he was sent back to Libya, causing controversy.
- The ICC has officially requested an explanation from Italy regarding this release.
In January 2025, Italian authorities arrested Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, in Turin based on an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for suspected war crimes including torture, murder, and rape. Instead of extraditing him to The Hague, Italian police returned him to Libya shortly after his arrest, claiming technical issues with the ICC warrant. This decision drew criticism, especially from the ICC, which emphasized the importance of cooperation in such legal matters. The Italian Justice Minister defended the move, suggesting the warrant was flawed and led to an 'immense mess.' The implications of al-Masri's release raise concerns about Italy's relationship with Libya and the maintenance of its migration policies, especially in light of ongoing violence attributed to various militias in Libya, including the one linked to al-Masri. Without extradition, questions about Italy's compliance with international law and the ability of the ICC to effectively prosecute war crimes persist, putting Italy's legal and diplomatic stance under scrutiny.