By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-01-28 22:31:53 | Updated at 2025-01-30 05:25:56
1 day ago
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday she had been placed under judicial investigation following a government decision to release a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court.
Osama Elmasry Njeem was freed last week and flown home by an Italian state aircraft just days after being detained in the northern city of Turin under an ICC arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity, including murder, torture and rape.
The ICC has demanded an explanation, saying it had not been consulted over the decision to let him go.
Meloni said in a message posted on social media that she had been placed under investigation by Rome’s chief prosecutor, Francesco Le Voi, for allegedly aiding and abetting a crime and misuse of public funds.
She is under no obligation to resign. Being placed under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt, nor mean that formal charges will necessarily follow.
“I will not be blackmailed, I will not allow myself to be intimidated, which may be why I am, let’s say, disliked by those who do not want Italy to change and become better,” Meloni said in a video posted on social media.
