ROME – Italy’s government deported Osama Elmasry Njeem, a Libyan brigadier general wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes, to Libya on Tuesday after an Italian court invalidated his arrest due to procedural errors.
Njeem, also known as Osama Almasri Njeem, was detained in Turin on Sunday under an ICC warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and rape of detainees at Mitiga prison in Libya. However, Italy’s appeals court ordered his release, citing non-compliance with legal procedures.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi defended the swift deportation, describing Njeem as a security threat. “Considering the Libyan citizen presented a profile of social dangerousness, I adopted an expulsion order for reasons of State security,” Piantedosi said.
The ICC criticized the lack of consultation, stating the warrant listed serious crimes either committed directly by Njeem or facilitated through his command of the Special Deterrence Forces.
Njeem’s deportation has sparked political controversy, with opposition lawmakers accusing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government of prioritizing political expediency over international justice. “You are plunging our country into utter shame,” said Senator Giuseppe De Cristofaro of the Green-Left Alliance.
Italy’s government, which relies on Libyan authorities for migration control, has not addressed allegations of political motivations behind the deportation. Meanwhile, the ICC continues to call for accountability for Njeem’s alleged crimes. This case underscores the challenges of balancing national security, international justice, and procedural integrity in a politically sensitive context.