Investigation into Italian Prime Minister Meloni: Prosecutors take action
An investigation has been launched into Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni due to the release of a suspect in Italy who was subject to an international arrest warrant.
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Meloni announced that Italian authorities have launched a judicial investigation into her following the detention, subsequent release, and repatriation of a high-ranking Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In posts on social media platforms, the Italian Prime Minister displayed the notice of investigation she received today, signed by public prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi, announcing that she is being investigated for 'aiding and abetting a crime' and 'misuse of public funds' in connection with the release and repatriation of Libyan national Najeem Osema Almasri Habish last week.
Meloni stated the following regarding the matter:
'I cannot be blackmailed. You cannot intimidate me. I intend to continue defending Italians, especially when it comes to the nation's security.'
The Italian leader also announced that similar investigation notices were received by Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio, Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, and Undersecretary to the Prime Minister responsible for intelligence Alfredo Mantovano.
Najeem Osema Almasri Habish is accused of 'committing a massacre' due to incidents at a prison in his country in 2015
COALITION PARTNERS EXTEND SUPPORT
Messages of support and solidarity for Meloni came from her coalition partners, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and leader of the Forza Italia party Antonio Tajani, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport and leader of the League party Matteo Salvini.
Meloni's post became the number one agenda item in Italy. The Prime Minister emphasized that this investigation was launched following a complaint filed by Ligi Ligotti, whom she described as a leftist politician very close to former prime minister Romano Prodi.
According to Italian law, Prime Minister Meloni is not currently required to resign despite the investigation being opened against her.
WHAT IS THE ALMASRI INCIDENT?
Najeem Osema Almasri Habish, a high-ranking Libyan police officer with an outstanding ICC arrest warrant as a suspect in the 2015 events at Mitiga Prison in Libya, was detained in Turin, Italy, on January 18.
At that time, the Rome Court of Appeal had ordered his release on the grounds that he was detained without the necessary communication between the ICC and the Italian Ministry of Justice, and because there were no other charges against him. Habish was released on January 22 and subsequently sent to Tripoli, the capital of Libya, on an Italian state aircraft.
The ICC stated that they were not consulted regarding Habish's release and repatriation, and requested an explanation from Italy. The left-wing opposition in Italy also reacted to the government's decision.
Prime Minister Meloni and Interior Minister Piantedosi had previously stated in their remarks on the subject that the government had decided to remove Habish from the country as soon as possible for urgent security reasons, as he was considered a dangerous individual.
The issue was known to the public as the 'Almasri incident'.