Rome: Prosecutors in Rome have opened an investigation against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and two government ministers for repatriating a Libyan warlord – Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri – who was wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague, AP news agency quoted PM Meloni as saying.
In a video posted on social media, Meloni revealed about the probe over allegedly aiding and abetting Ossama Anjiem. She said Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, and the cabinet undersecretary for intelligence matters, Alfredo Mantovano have also been placed under investigation.
The Italian PM said that she is under no obligation to resign, and being placed under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt, nor mean that formal charges will necessarily follow. "I will not be blackmailed, I will not allow myself to be intimidated, which may be why I am, let's say, disliked by those who do not want Italy to change and become better," Meloni said in a video posted on her Facebook profile.
Meloni's government has been under fire from the opposition, human rights groups, and the ICC itself for releasing Ossama Anjiemon. Anjiemon was arrested in the northern city of Turin on a warrant from the international court for his alleged crimes against humanity.
According to a Reuters report, Meloni believed the investigation had been triggered by Luigi Li Gotti, a lawyer who announced last week that he had lodged a complaint over the release of Njeem and the use of an official jet to fly him back to Tripoli.
