Italy government under fire for releasing Libyan warlord accused of war crimes
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Italian opposition lawmakers and human rights groups voiced outrage Wednesday after Italy released a Libyan warlord on a technicality, after he was arrested on a warrant from the International Criminal Court accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Justice Minister Carlo Nordio was grilled about the release Tuesday of Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, during a previously scheduled appearance before the Senate. Nordio didn’t respond to several requests for details about the release or demands that he reaffirm Italy’s commitment to upholding international justice.
Al-Masri heads the Tripoli branch of the Reform and Rehabilitation Institution, a notorious network of detention centers run by the government-backed Special Defense Force. The ICC warrant, dated Jan. 18 and referenced in Italian court papers, accuses him of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Mitiga prison in Libya starting in 2011, punishable with life in prison.
Al-Masri was arrested Sunday in Turin, where he reportedly had attended the Juventus-Milan soccer match the night before. Rome’s court of appeals ordered him freed Tuesday, and he was sent back to Libya aboard an aircraft of the Italian secret services, because of what the appeals court said was a procedural error in his arrest. The ruling said Nordio should have been informed ahead of time of the arrest, since the justice ministry handles all relations with The Hague-based court.
Al-Masri returned to Tripoli late Tuesday. He was received at the Mitiga airport by supporters who celebrated his release, according to local media. Footage circulated online showed dozens of young men chanting and carrying what appeared to be al-Masri on their shoulders at the airport.
