Nordio Asserts Evidence Disproves Allegations in Almasri Case

Rome: Justice Minister Carlo Nordio declared on Thursday that evidence submitted in the case of Libyan General Osama Almasri contradicts media allegations suggesting he misrepresented facts. Almasri was detained by Italian authorities in January under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, he was released two days later due to a technicality and returned to Tripoli on a State flight.

According to Ansa News Agency, Nordio stated, “We will report in parliament (on the Almasri case) when the time comes.” He emphasized that the documents in question fundamentally counter the narratives presented in newspaper reports. The controversy has led to calls from most of Italy’s opposition parties for Nordio’s resignation, following media coverage of a probe by prosecutors at the court of ministers. Reports indicate that an official at the justice ministry was informed about the arrest on the same day it occurred, contrary to Nordio’s claim of being notified the following day.

The court’s investigation is focused on the sequence of events from Almasri’s arrest at a Turin hotel on January 19 to his release and subsequent return to Tripoli on January 21. Almasri faces allegations of torture, rape, and murder of migrants, including children as young as five, in Libya. His release was prompted by Nordio’s failure to respond to a Rome appeals court’s request to endorse the arrest.

Nordio has attributed the situation to errors in the ICC warrants, describing them as a “mess,” while Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has stated that Rome had to expel Almasri due to the potential threat he posed to Italy.