No Report to Parliament on Almasri – Nordio-Piantedosi
Rome: Justice Minister Carlo Nordio and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi have informed the speakers of the Lower House and Senate, Lorenzo Fontana and Ignazio La Russa, that they will not be able to report to Parliament on the case of Libyan commander Najeem Osema Almasri Habish. This decision follows the notification of a criminal complaint filed against them concerning the release of the wanted alleged war criminal.
According to Ansa News Agency, the announcement was made by the Minister for Relations with Parliament, Luca Ciriani, after a meeting with the Lower House’s party whips. The ministers stated in their letter that they could not address the Lower House and Senate as originally scheduled, citing the need to “abide by procedures and respect the confidentiality of the probe.” Ciriani emphasized that the government is not evading debate with Parliament, clarifying that a new, unprecedented issue had arisen due to the notification. He assured that the government plans to reflect on the appropriate timing and content for future reports to Parliament.
Premier Giorgia Meloni disclosed on Tuesday that she had received notification of an investigation concerning the Libyan police official, who was returned to Libya from Italy after being detained under an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. Meloni, along with Nordio, Piantedosi, and cabinet secretary Alfredo Mantovano, was notified by Rome’s chief prosecutor, Francesco Lo Voi, about a probe into potential aiding and abetting and embezzlement of public funds.
Almasri Habish, who faces charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes by the ICC, was arrested in Italy earlier this month. However, he was released on a technicality and flown back to Tripoli on Tuesday via an Italian secret service plane. In response, sessions in the Lower House were suspended until the following Tuesday, February 4, when a new meeting of party whips is scheduled. Opposition members have called for clarifications on who will report to Parliament at this upcoming meeting.