Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been placed under judicial investigation following the government’s decision to release Osama Elmasry Njeem, a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity.
Njeem was detained in Turin but was freed and flown back to Tripoli on an Italian state aircraft, sparking demands for explanation from the ICC.
Meloni, who announced the investigation on social media, is being probed for allegedly aiding and abetting a crime and misusing public funds.
However, being under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt, and Meloni is not obligated to resign.
Meloni has pushed back against the investigation, stating that she won’t be “blackmailed” or “intimidated.” She believes the investigation was triggered by a complaint filed by lawyer Luigi Li Gotti over the use of an official jet to fly Njeem back to Tripoli.
Other government officials, including Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, and cabinet undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, are also under investigation. The case is being led by the same prosecutor who investigated Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini in 2019.
