
Italy is facing sharp criticism from human rights groups and the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the release of a Libyan warlord accused of heinous war crimes.
On Tuesday, the Italian government freed Ossama al-Masri, a Libyan warlord with ties to detention networks linked to the Libyan government. His release followed an arrest in Turin on charges issued by the ICC for crimes committed in Libyan prisons. The court had called for his extradition, accusing him of torture, rape, and murder.
The ICC, based in The Hague, expressed strong dissatisfaction with Italy’s decision, stressing that Rome is obligated to cooperate with international justice. “Italy must provide details of their actions,” the ICC stated, acknowledging the serious nature of the charges against al-Masri.
Al-Masri, a senior figure in the Libyan Special Defense Force, had attended a soccer match in Turin before his arrest. The appeal court’s decision to free him hinged on a procedural error, as Italy’s Justice Ministry had not been notified in advance. The warlord was subsequently flown back to Tripoli aboard a secret service plane.
Human rights advocates, such as Amnesty International, condemned the release, calling it a “blow to justice.” Amnesty’s Esther Major warned that this decision would only reinforce the cycle of impunity in Libya, where abuses against migrants and detainees have been well-documented.
Opposition politicians, including former Premier Matteo Renzi, slammed the government for hypocrisy. Italy has worked closely with Libyan authorities to prevent migrant trafficking, a relationship that critics argue influences political decisions like this.
The release of al-Masri has sparked outrage, as victims of his abuses, like South Sudanese migrant David Yambio, expressed feelings of betrayal. Yambio, who had been imprisoned by al-Masri, described his fleeting hope for justice, only to see it extinguished within hours.
This incident highlights the complex ties between Italy, Libya, and the migration crisis, with mounting pressure on the Italian government to explain its actions and cooperate with international law.