Osama Elmasry is a criminal warrant by (ICC) the International Criminal Court
Italian Prime Minister declared on Tuesday that she had been investigated by the judicial investigation following a government decision to release a Libyan police officer who is 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.
Being placed under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt, nor mean that formal charges will necessarily follow, or she has to resign.
The prime minister’s supporters swiftly accused the Italian judiciary, which is locked in battle with the government over plans for a sweeping reform of the legal system, of being politically motivated.
”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,”
Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and the cabinet undersecretary for intelligence matters, Alfredo Mantovano have also been placed under investigation, Meloni said.
She said she believed the investigation had been triggered by Luigi Li Gotti, a lawyer who announced last week that he had lodged a complaint over both the release of Njeem and the use of an official jet to fly him back to Tripoli.
“What I did was a necessary act. I did it as a matter of dignity both for human rights and for all Italian citizens,” Li Gotti told Reuters on Tuesday.
