The International Criminal Court has demanded answers from Italy over why it freed a Libyan man suspected of crimes against humanity and war crimes, as well as murder, torture and rape.
Italy detained Osama Elmasry Njeem, also known as Osama Almasri Njeem, on Sunday in Turin after receiving a tip-off from The Hague-based ICC, which had issued an international arrest warrant against him.
However, the Italian government unexpectedly freed him on Tuesday because of a legal technicality. He was then flown on an official state aircraft to Tripoli.
Njeem is the head of the Tripoli branch of the Reform and Rehabilitation Institution, a notorious network of detention centres run by the government-backed Special Defence Force.
Njeem is believed to have been in charge of Tripoli’s Mitiga detention centre, and is wanted on charges including murder, rape and sexual violence and torture, committed since February 15, 2015.
The alleged crimes were committed against detainees because of their religion, perceived “immoral behaviour” or alleged support or affiliation to other armed groups, the ICC said.
The ICC, which has been investigating alleged serious crimes committed in Libya since the country’s 2011 civil war, said in a statement it had urged Italy to contact its staff if there were any problems with the arrest process.
However, it said Njeem had been let go without prior notice or consultation.
“The Court is seeking, and is yet to obtain, verification from the authorities on the steps reportedly taken,” the ICC said.
United Arab Emirates Dirham Exchange Rate
