Government Sends Almasri Report to ICC Amid Controversy

Rome: The government has submitted its report to the International Criminal Court (ICC) concerning Libyan General Osama Almasri. Almasri was apprehended by Italian authorities on January 19 under an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, he was released two days later and returned to Tripoli on a state aircraft.

According to Ansa News Agency, the ICC had previously granted Italy an extension on the report submission deadline, originally set to expire on Tuesday. The court has requested comprehensive details on why Almasri was not surrendered, and why his belongings were not confiscated during the arrest. The Italian government had sought additional time to compile these details.

The Tribunal of Ministers is conducting an investigation into the events that transpired between Almasri’s arrest at a Turin hotel on January 19 and his subsequent release by a Rome appeals court on January 21. Almasri faces accusations of torturing, raping, and murdering migrants, some as young as five years old, since 2015.

The release of Almasri occurred after Justice Minister Carlo Nordio did not respond to the Rome appeals court’s request to validate the arrest. Premier Giorgia Meloni, Justice Minister Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, and Cabinet Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano are currently under investigation. This follows a criminal complaint filed by attorney Luigi Li Gotti, alleging their involvement in aiding and abetting, and embezzlement, related to using a secret services flight for Almasri’s return to Libya.

Justice Minister Nordio has attributed the situation to errors in the ICC warrants, referring to them as a “mess.” Meanwhile, Interior Minister Piantedosi has justified Almasri’s expulsion, citing him as a threat to Italy.