Brussels (Brussels Morning) — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is under investigation following her government’s decision to release Osama Almasri Najim on a technicality after his arrest in Turin under an International Criminal Court warrant.
What is the focus of the investigation?
Prosecutors in Rome are looking into Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni‘s decision regarding the repatriation and release of Osama Elry Nem, also known as Osama Almasri Njeem. Accused of crimes against humanity, war crimes, murder, torture, and sexual assault – all committed in his role as head of Tripoli’s Reform and Rehabilitation Institution (Libya). Opposition figures, human rights groups, and the ICC itself have criticized the contentious release of Njeem and called for an explanation from Italian authorities and the government.
The matter is so important it doesn’t simply concern the Italian prime minister, as Meloni’s undersecretary of state for intelligence affairs, Alfredo Mantovano, Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi are also being investigated.
A legal and political issue?
Meloni has described the inquiry as a possible act of intimidation and has not refrained from speaking out about it on her social media platforms. She hinted that the inquiry was motivated by political reasons, pointing out that the investigating prosecutor had previously singled out Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini in the nationally known “fallimentare processo” (failed trial), which was seen by a portion of the Italian public as a very politized case. “The facts are known,” she added on X, arguing with the odd timing of the ICC’s arrest order for Njeem. Following months of examination, the International Criminal Court issued an international arrest warrant for Mr. Almasri, the chief of Tripoli’s judicial police. Yet she claims that, curiously, the ICC did so at the moment he was about to enter Italian territory, after having stayed peacefully in three other European states for twelve days beforehand.
Can Meloni weather the storm?
It’s unclear how the investigation is going to concretely affect Meloni’s government from a political and public relations point of view. There are no official charges associated with being under investigation, and she is not subject to any legislative or diplomatic sanctions at the moment. In addition, her party, Brothers of Italy, is still in an advantageous position in spite of recent political tensions, with approval rates near the 40% mark – above any national competitors. The opposition is also still dispersed and finds it difficult to build long-term coalitions, which appears to be providing Meloni’s government with significant maneuverability.
With her term set to run until 2027, Meloni still faces ongoing disputes over constitutional reforms and the Italy-Albania migrant deal. These hurdles, compounded with the current investigation, seem to announce a combative end of mandate for Politico’s 2025 most influential European leader.
