Libyan authorities have arrested a former senior police official who was sought by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Prosecutors in Tripoli said Osama Almasri Najim, who previously led Libya’s judicial police, was detained on accusations that he tortured detainees at the capital’s main prison, including alleged mistreatment that resulted in the death of one prisoner. The office said investigators had questioned Najim over alleged abuse of 10 inmates and that there was now sufficient evidence to support formal charges.
Najim is accused by the ICC of a range of serious offences, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and allegations of rape and murder. Libyan prosecutors said while following up on the court’s allegations they collected additional testimony describing “torture and cruel, degrading treatment” of prisoners at the facility.
The arrest renews scrutiny of an earlier episode this year when Najim was detained in Turin, northern Italy, after attending a football match. Italian authorities released him two days later and he was flown back to Tripoli on an Italian air force plane, provoking domestic and international criticism. Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, said the fast repatriation was carried out because Najim was deemed a security risk for Italy.
The ICC said Italy breached its obligations under the Rome Statute by failing to execute the arrest warrant and surrender Najim while he was on Italian soil. That episode prompted an inquiry by prosecutors in Rome into whether Meloni and other officials had aided and abetted a crime or misused public funds in arranging the government flight; those officials were later cleared.
In May, Libya agreed to allow the ICC to investigate alleged war crimes on its territory, despite not being a signatory to the Rome Statute. Libyan authorities now say they are cooperating with international probes while pursuing their own domestic case against Najim.
The arrest drew sharp responses from Italy’s opposition. Former prime minister Giuseppe Conte said the episode was humiliating for the Meloni government. Elly Schlein, leader of the Democratic Party, accused the government of having freed a suspected criminal and demanded an apology to Italians. Democratic politician Antonella Forattini said the affair had damaged Italy’s institutions and reputation and suggested Libya had outpaced Italy in upholding justice.
Observers say the case highlights tensions around a controversial 2017 migration pact between Italy and Libya, renewed periodically and backed by the European Council. Under the agreement, Italy has provided funding and equipment to Libya’s coastguard to stem migrant departures. Humanitarian groups have long criticised the arrangement, arguing it has contributed to the interception and return of people to detention centres in Libya where abuses, including torture, have been reported.
Libyan prosecutors say their recent arrest demonstrates a willingness to pursue alleged abusers. How the domestic proceedings will interact with the ICC investigation, and whether Najim will be surrendered to The Hague, remain to be seen.
