Italy Deports Libyan Njeem Citing Security Threats

Italy has deported Libyan national Osama al-Masri Njeem, deemed a security threat, as stated by Interior Minister Piantedosi in the Senate. This decision was made instead of extraditing him to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, which expressed displeasure over the weekend.

The ICC accuses Njeem of committing war crimes while overseeing militia prisons in Tripoli, Libya, linking him to murders, rapes, and torture of detainees due to their religious beliefs or sexual orientation. Njeem, who could face life imprisonment, was arrested in Italy following an arrest warrant and subsequently deported to Libya.

The ICC demanded an explanation from Italy. Some Italian politicians were shocked by the government’s disregard for its obligations to the ICC, as the Justice Minister’s involvement was required but did not occur, resulting in Njeem’s release and deportation.

Piantedosi explained the deportation was due to “urgent security reasons” and the threat Njeem posed, but provided no further details, stating the deportation order came from him.

Source: NOS

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