Italian judges have dismissed a legal case against Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who had been under investigation for her role in the controversial release of a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The suspect, Osama Elmasry Njeem, was arrested in Turin in January 2025 under an ICC warrant over alleged crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and rape. However, he was released shortly after and flown back to Libya aboard an Italian state aircraft, sparking international criticism.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Meloni confirmed that she had been cleared of charges related to aiding and abetting a crime and misuse of public funds.
However, she said the case would proceed against other senior officials, including Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, and Cabinet Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano.
“I maintain that this government acts cohesively under my leadership,” Meloni wrote. “Every decision, especially one so important, is agreed upon. It is absurd to try Piantedosi, Nordio, and Mantovano, but not myself.”
The case has drawn scrutiny over Italy’s handling of international legal obligations, especially as the ICC continues to investigate war crimes in Libya stemming from the country’s 2011 civil war, following a UN Security Council referral.
Justice Minister Nordio previously told parliament that Italy had no choice but to release Elmasry due to procedural errors in the ICC warrant, a claim that has not silenced critics of the government’s decision.
