The Italian government is under fire after releasing Libyan warlord Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, who was apprehended Sunday on an International Criminal Court warrant for war crimes. Al-Masri was ordered freed on Tuesday due to a procedural glitch that required Italian justice minister Carlo Nordio's prior notification of the arrest. His swift return to Tripoli, facilitated by Italian secret services, has provoked suspicions of political motives behind the release. Footage shows al-Masri arriving at the airport to cheers; at one point, supporters apparently lifted him onto their shoulders.
Opposition figures, including ex-Premier Matteo Renzi, have blasted the government, accusing it of hypocrisy by contrasting its anti-human trafficking stance with the decision to send al-Masri back to Libya. The Democratic Party demands that Premier Giorgia Meloni clarify the actions. One senator pointed out the plane sent to collect al-Masri was dispatched to Turin prior to the Rome appeals court making its ruling, suggesting Meloni's office had already decided to send him home. Meanwhile, human rights organizations expressed disbelief at the release, highlighting the notorious abuses in Libyan detention facilities tied to al-Masri.
The incident underscores Italy's complex relationship with Libya, particularly its cooperation with the internationally recognized Tripolitanian government and support for the Libyan coast guard, which it has given money to in exchange for it preventing Libyan migrants from leaving. Humanitarian activists emphasize that militias in Libya wield significant control over migration routes to Europe, influencing Italy's actions. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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