Latest news with #MatteoPiantedosi
Arab News
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Italy ministers accused over release of Libyan official
ROME: Judges have requested permission from Italy's parliament to bring proceedings against two government ministers over the release of a Libyan wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), reports said Wednesday. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio is accused of failing to perform his official duties and also, alongside Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, of aiding and abetting Osama Almasri Najim's return to Libya. Najim, head of Libya's judicial police, was arrested in the northern Italian city of Turin on January 19 on an ICC warrant, only to be released by Rome's Court of Appeal two days later and immediately flown to Tripoli on an Italian air force plane. He is accused of charges including murder, rape and torture relating to his management of Tripoli's Mitiga detention center, and his release sparked a major political row in Italy. Allegations that Meloni and her ministers acted improperly have been under consideration by a special court that deals with ministerial cases. Meloni revealed on Monday she had been cleared of any wrongdoing. But the court has now requested permission from parliament's Chamber of Deputies to bring a case against her ministers — although this will almost certainly be denied, as Meloni's coalition government has a majority. According to Italian news agencies, Nordio is accused of failing to comply with ICC requests over the arrest of Najim, and effectively standing by when he could have intervened to keep the Libyan in prison. Piantedosi and under-secretary Alfredo Mantovano, who is responsible for the intelligence service, are both also accused of aiding and abetting Najim's release, and also of complicit embezzlement. Piantedosi ordered the Libyan's expulsion from Italy and Mantovano ordered the use of a state plane to send him home, despite, like Nordio, being fully aware of the requests for cooperation from the ICC, according to the court. Meloni on Monday said the judges had cleared her, making what she called the 'absurd' conclusion that she was not informed about the decisions on Najim. She defended the government's actions, saying they were entirely focused on 'protecting the safety of Italians.' Nordio has previously said the ICC warrant was badly drafted, while Piantedosi claimed that once Najim had been released from prison he was too dangerous to remain in Italy. Piantedosi also denied allegations by some opposition politicians that the suspect was sent home to avoid jeopardizing relations with Libya.
Arab News
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Italian judges dismiss case against Meloni over release of Libyan suspect
ROME: An Italian judicial body has dropped a case against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who had been placed under investigation following the release of a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court, she said on Monday. Osama Elmasry Njeem was freed in January and flown home in an Italian state aircraft just days after being detained in the northern city of Turin under an ICC arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity, including murder, torture and rape. 'The judges dismissed the case only against me,' Meloni said in a post on social media X. She was under investigation for allegedly aiding and abetting a crime and misuse of public funds. Meloni added that based on the document she received, magistrates will pursue the case against Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Justice Minister Carlo Nordio and Cabinet Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, who had been placed under investigation with her. 'I maintain that this government acts cohesively under my leadership: every decision, especially one so important, is agreed upon. It is therefore absurd to request that Piantedosi, Nordio and Mantovano stand trial, but not myself, before them,' Meloni wrote on X. The ICC has been investigating allegations of serious crimes committed in Libya since the country's 2011 civil war following a referral by the UN Security Council. Justice Minister Nordio told parliament in February that Italy had no choice but to free Elmasry due to mistakes and inaccuracies in the arrest warrant.
Reuters
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Italian judges dismiss case against Meloni over release of Libyan suspect
ROME, Aug 4 (Reuters) - An Italian judicial body has dropped a case against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who had been placed under investigation following the release of a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court, she said on Monday. Osama Elmasry Njeem was freed in January and flown home in an Italian state aircraft just days after being detained in the northern city of Turin under an ICC arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity, including murder, torture and rape. "The judges dismissed the case only against me," Meloni said in a post on social media X. She was under investigation for allegedly aiding and abetting a crime and misuse of public funds. Meloni added that based on the document she received, magistrates will pursue the case against Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Justice Minister Carlo Nordio and Cabinet Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, who had been placed under investigation with her. "I maintain that this government acts cohesively under my leadership: every decision, especially one so important, is agreed upon. It is therefore absurd to request that Piantedosi, Nordio and Mantovano stand trial, but not myself, before them," Meloni wrote on X. The ICC has been investigating allegations of serious crimes committed in Libya since the country's 2011 civil war following a referral by the U.N. Security Council. Justice Minister Nordio told parliament in February that Italy had no choice but to free Elmasry due to mistakes and inaccuracies in the arrest warrant.
Libya Review
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
Italy Commits to Ties with Eastern Libya Despite Benghazi Fallout
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has played down Tuesday's diplomatic incident in Benghazi, where a European Union delegation, including Italian officials, was denied a scheduled meeting with representatives from eastern Libya. Speaking to Italian broadcaster Rai on Wednesday, Piantedosi clarified that the meeting was cancelled due to resentment on the Libyan side over the overzealousness of some of the EU representatives. He added that the earlier leg of the visit in Tripoli had been 'very insightful,' stressing that the unexpected cancellation would not derail Rome's ongoing cooperation with Libya. 'We will keep moving forward in the fight against human traffickers,' Piantedosi said. 'There is a structured relationship with Libya, and one incident will not undermine our longstanding cooperation.' The visit was part of broader European efforts to manage irregular migration across the Mediterranean. In Tripoli, Piantedosi had announced that Italy would provide four new rubber patrol boats to Libya's coastguard, underlining Italy's support for Libyan-led efforts to curb migrant departures. He also praised Libya's recent steps in repatriating migrants, particularly amid a surge in arrivals of Bangladeshi and Eritrean nationals to Europe via Libya in 2025. Meanwhile, the Libyan government appointed by the House of Representatives and supported by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar declined to host the EU delegation in Benghazi. Tags: benghaziItalylibyaMatteo Piantedosi
Libya Review
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
Italy to Provide Boats to Libyan Coast Guard to Curb Migration
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has commended Libya for its efforts in returning irregular migrants to their home countries, stressing the need to continue and strengthen bilateral cooperation. Speaking at a migration conference held in Tripoli on Tuesday, Piantedosi said Rome appreciates 'the significant efforts made by Libya since last year to repatriate irregular migrants,' especially through the operation of migrant shelters. He highlighted that 'bilateral cooperation channels are very important and must be maintained,' announcing that Italy is ready to deliver four inflatable patrol boats to the Libyan Coast Guard as part of recent joint agreements on border management. 'We recognise the great work Libya is doing to curb or prevent irregular migration by sea,' Piantedosi added. 'However, this year has seen a notable rise in the number of migrants reaching Europe via the Libyan route—particularly nationals from Bangladesh and Eritrea.' He expressed confidence that the partnership with Libya would yield 'practical solutions,' saying Italy's strategic vision aims to reduce migrant flows not only across the Mediterranean but also overland. The Tripoli conference brought together Libyan and European officials to address growing concerns over migration through North Africa. Libya remains one of the main departure points for migrants attempting to reach Europe, many of whom face dire conditions in overcrowded detention centres. Italian and EU support has increasingly focused on reinforcing Libyan border control capacity and improving conditions in migrant shelters—efforts that have drawn both praise and criticism from international human rights groups. Tags: Interior MinisterItalylibyaMatteo Piantedosimigration
