April 24, 2025 4:08 am
Full News

Italy Faces Criticism For Releasing Libya’s ‘Warlord’ Leader

After allowing Libya’s warlord leader Osama Al-Masri to return to Libya, the International Criminal Court (ICC) reminded Italy of its obligation to fully cooperate. Al-Masri faces allegations of murder, rape, and torture.

Italy arrested Al-Masri following an ICC warrant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, citing “technical reasons,” Italy released him, drawing criticism against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her government.

The ICC, based in The Hague, Netherlands, expressed clear dissatisfaction in its diplomatic response, emphasizing that Italy is obligated to fully cooperate. The court awaits detailed information from Rome on the matter.

Who is Osama Al-Masri?

Osama Al-Masri, also known as Osama Anizem, is accused of leading the Tripoli branch of a notorious detention center network operated by Libya’s government-backed special defense forces called the Libyan Rehabilitation and Recovery Authority.

Al-Masri was arrested on Sunday in Turin while attending a football match between Juventus and AC Milan. Just a day before, the ICC issued a warrant against him for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Libya’s Mitiga prison since 2015. These crimes include murder, torture, rape, and sexual violence, carrying a potential life sentence if proven.

On Saturday, the ICC shared the arrest warrant with its member states, including Italy, and informed border entry points across Europe.

However, citing “procedural errors,” an appeals court in Rome ordered Al-Masri’s release on Tuesday. Italy’s secret service then facilitated his return to Libya via a private plane.

Blow to victims

The appeals court ruled that Italy’s Justice Minister Carlo Nordio should have been informed prior to the arrest since his ministry is responsible for all ICC communications. Human rights groups criticized Italy for releasing Al-Masri.

Esther Major, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Europe Research Department, called the decision a “blow to victims, survivors, and international justice,” adding that it missed an opportunity to break Libya’s cycle of impunity.

Italy has strong ties with Libya’s internationally recognized government in Tripoli, relying heavily on Libya’s coast guard to patrol the Mediterranean and prevent migrants from crossing the sea.

This ICC case against Al-Masri may reignite global focus on Italy’s immigration policies and its collaboration with Libya’s coast guard. Numerous incidents of severe abuse against migrants in Libyan detention centers have been documented by human rights organizations, which also allege Italy’s complicity.

Related News
Is India Worried About Trump’s Threat of Tariffs
U.S. Imposes 37% Tariff on Bangladeshi Products
Farrell’s absence, World Cup and Lions to come in exciting 2025
Trump-backed Spending Bill Fails as US Government Shutdown Looms
Tareq Rahman’s Aynaghor (Mirror Room) Visit and Negative Framing: A Comparative Responsibility Analysis of Enforced Disappearances and Extrajudicial Killings by BNP and Awami League
China Unveils Fully Autonomous Flying Car at Chery Innovation Conference
Related Posts
MIDI Strategic Vision: Analysis of Development and Economic Impact in Bangladesh.
Title: South Asia’s Growth Prospects Declining Alarmingly: World Bank
India Declares Pakistani Military Advisers ‘Persona Non Grata’
India Cancels Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan Following Kashmir Attack
Swachip Office Vandalized Amid Political Turmoil : Bangladeshi Doctors’ Body Blames ‘Illegitimate Yunus Government’
Modi Avoids Pakistani Airspace on Return from Saudi Arabia
More News

Norway on track to become world’s first fully electric car country

Nine of the 10 new cars sold in Norway last year were battery-powered. This year, their goal is to be a 100 percent environmentally friendly electric car country Norway is going to become the world’s first fully environmentally friendly electric or electric car country. Nine of the 10 new cars sold in Norway last year […]

Zelensky Hopes to Restore Ties with the US

London, March 3, 2025:Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism about restoring relations with the United States despite a heated exchange with US President Donald Trump at the White House. He emphasized that future discussions should take place behind closed doors. During a meeting with European leaders in London, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine would not cede […]

Bangladeshi Traders Shift to Southeast Asian Rice Amid Decline in Imports from India

DHAKA – Bangladeshi traders have largely halted rice imports from India, despite government approval for 92 companies to bring in 392,000 metric tons. As of now, only 3,320 metric tons—just 0.85% of the approved quantity—have been imported. Instead, Bangladesh has turned to alternative suppliers, including Myanmar, Indonesia, and Vietnam, for its rice needs. However, this […]

Beyonce Winks at Past Netflix Glitches in New Christmas Halftime Clip

Beyonce has delighted fans with a playful nod to past Netflix live stream glitches in a new clip from her Christmas halftime show. In the short video, the superstar winks at the technical difficulties that occasionally interrupted her previous live events on the streaming platform, adding a touch of humor to the situation. This clever […]

Experts Warn Space Congestion Could Render Low Earth Orbit Unusable Without Global Coordination

BENGALURU, Dec 2 – The rapid increase in satellites and space debris threatens to make low Earth orbit (LEO) unusable unless nations and private companies urgently collaborate on data sharing and space traffic management, experts and industry leaders have warned. A United Nations panel on space traffic coordination concluded in late October that immediate action […]

Trump is observing election results alongside RFK Jr.

TVN Desk CNN’s Kaitlan Collins reported that former President Donald Trump is observing election results alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including those from Wisconsin, where RFK Jr. remains on the ballot despite his attempts to withdraw his name from the competitive state. Trump’s staff is intently monitoring Wisconsin this evening; however, they do not anticipate […]

Australia Strengthens Defence with New Long-Range Missiles Amid Rising Tensions with China

Australia is accelerating efforts to deploy long-range missiles in response to the arrival of powerful Chinese warships near its coast, underscoring Beijing’s growing naval influence. The move aims to bolster military preparedness and safeguard Australia’s maritime territories. Canberra has announced plans to equip its army with advanced anti-ship missiles and modern targeting radars, enhancing its […]

Global Campaign Rallies for Release of Detained Journalist Farzana Rupa in Bangladesh

In an urgent plea for justice and press freedom, Avaaz has initiated a worldwide campaign to secure the release of Farzana Rupa, a Bangladeshi journalist currently held without trial under conditions typically reserved for those on death row. This appeal, titled “Free Farzana!”, has quickly escalated into a significant movement, spotlighting the deteriorating health and […]

Hamas Hands Over Four Coffins to the Red Cross

Hamas has handed over four coffins containing the bodies of hostages to the Red Cross. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that Hamas has transferred the bodies of four hostages. Reports from BBC and Al Jazeera state that the black-colored coffins were loaded onto Red Cross vehicles. These will later be handed over to […]

UN Migration Agency Resumes Aid to Rohingya Refugees in Indonesia

Jakarta: The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reinstated humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees in Indonesia, the agency confirmed on Tuesday. This comes shortly after reports revealed aid cuts affecting over 900 refugees due to major funding challenges, primarily following reductions by its largest donor, the United States. Jeff Labovitz, IOM’s chief of […]