A Libyan General wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity has been arrested in Tripoli.
Osama Almasri Najim, the former chief of the judicial police of Libya, was arrested on allegations of torturing prisoners, who led the main prison of Tripoli, the administrator of Tripoli, the administrator of Libya.
The Italian government came under fire in January after Najim was arrested in the northern city of Turin by the ICC only on a warrant issued by a Tripoli plane.
In a statement, the Libyan prosecutor’s office said that since the ICC allegations were initiated, it gathered more information about the main prison, which was reported to be tortured in Tripoli and cruel treatment “.
Najim asked about the alleged abuse against 10 prisoners and the death of one, the statement said. The arrest was made “given that sufficient evidence has been established to support the charges”, the statement added.
Najim is wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as alleged rape and murder.
He was arrested in Turin after attending a football match before being released and returned. Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Moneloni, said he was quickly returned because he was considered a danger to Italy’s national security.
Critics have accused his administration of floundering in Libya for relying on North Africa to stem the flow to Italy’s southern coast.
The ICC said Italy failed in its obligations under the Rome Statute, the court’s founding principle, to execute the warrant and surrender Najim while he was on Italian territory.
The case prompted prosecutors in Rome to investigate Moneloni and three other government officials on suspicion of helping and abusing public funds used by a light air jet, although they were later cleared.
In May, Libya accepted the authority of the ICC to investigate alleged war crimes in the country despite not being a party to Roma Sati.
The Italian opposition parties have often reacted to the arrest of NAJIM, with the former prime minister and leader of the five movement Giuseppe Giuseppe saying that it is “a disgrace for the government of Monelon”.
Elly Schlein, Leader of the Democratic Party said: “The Libyan authorities ordered the arrest of Almasri on charges of torture and murder… the same criminal who [the Italian government] was released and taken home on a government flight. This is a disgrace on an international level for which our government should apologize to the Italiano. “
Antonella Forattini, a Democratic Party member of the Party, said it was “a stain on our institutions and the image of Italy around the world”. He added: “Libya has shown today that it is ahead of our country in the defense of justice and legality.”
The case puts the content of a controversial agreement between Italy and Libya, signed in 2017 and renewed every three years. The agreement, which was approved by the European Council, involves Italian funding and covers the Libyan coast to avoid the boats of refugees leaving the North African country. Humanitarian groups have criticized it for pushing people back into detention camps, where they face torture and other abuses.