Tensions between Italy and the International Criminal Court (ICC) escalated after the court launched an investigation into whether Italy’s deportation of Libyan criminal Osama Njeem Almasri obstructed justice.
A court in The Hague opened an investigation into the deportation from Italy of Osama Njeem Almasri, the head of Libya’s judicial police, despite an ICC arrest warrant against him. According to the court, the deportation constitutes obstruction of justice under Article 70 of the Rome Statute.
The complaint names Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi. The case was brought by lawyers representing a refugee from Sudan who testified to international investigators in 2019 about the torture he, his wife and their group suffered while imprisoned in Libya under the command of Almasri.
That same year, the refugee provided evidence of the involvement of senior EU and Italian officials, including former prime ministers and ministers, in facilitating human rights crimes in Libya. However, the Italian government strongly criticised the ICC’s approach to the case.
The government had previously challenged the legitimacy of the ICC’s first arrest warrant requiring Italy to detain Almasri. The authorities called the first warrant “null” due to alleged errors and inconsistencies.
Meanwhile, the opposition and activists also lashed out at the Meloni-led government. Former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte condemned the raising of ministers’ salaries and the deportation of Almasri despite the ICC arrest warrant.
While industrial production has been collapsing for 22 months and the hours of redundancy payments are increasing, they are cutting 100 euros from the paycheck of those who earn 700 euros to raise the salaries of Ministers and undersecretaries. Meloni should not escape from reality as she does from Parliament on the squalid Almasri affair, a child rapist brought home on a state flight.
Italian journalist and activist Maurizio Belpietro pointed out that despite denials from the ICC, the 2019 complaint had taken place.
‘Avvenire’ announces the opening of an investigation into Meloni, Nordio, and Piantedosi regarding the Almasri case. The ICC denies it, but it turns out that there is a complaint. It dates back to 2019 and involves many governments, including those of [former PM Matteo] Renzi and [former PM Paolo] Gentiloni.
